§ 25. Sir J. D. REESasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the Commissioner of Works has read the address of Mr. Leonard Hill, as president of the physiological section of the British Association, in which he explains how deadly is uniformly-heated air, how necessary perceptible movement and changes of temperature, how injurious are the effects of a still, close, equable atmosphere; and whether he will take steps to alter the present system of ventilation of the House, so as to bring it more in accord with these sanitary principles?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN (Lord of the Treasury)The ventilation of the Chamber has been the subject of several inquiries by Committees between J902 and 1906. Over £5,000 has been spent in carrying out the recommendations of those Committees and the reports of Dr. Mervyn Gordon. The air in the Chamber is constantly in movement and is changed about six times an hour. A uniform temperature is maintained. The First Commissioner is not of opinion that any alteration in the ventilation system would be desirable.
§ Sir J. D. REESMay I ask if, notwithstanding this expenditure, the ventilation here is not of such a character that a breeze from Bermondsey or a whiff from Walworth would be possible?