§ 68. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Commissioner of Works whether 612 he is aware of the frequent discharge of a dense volume of smoke from a chimney shaft from the engineering department of his office, Western Branch, Orange Street, and of the opinion of the medical officer for health for Westminster, to the effect that the nuisance caused thereby is a menace to the surrounding neighbourhood; and, in view of this opinion and the fact that the smoke cannot be without a deleterious effect upon the pictures in the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery, the buildings of which are within some thirty yards of the chimney, he will take some steps to abate the nuisance, as was done with such excellent results by the Charing Cross Hospital, near by, by the installation of an apparatus which paid for its cost by lessening the coal consumption?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Sir Alfred Mond)I am aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers. The discharge of smoke has been largely caused by temporary difficulties as regards fuel, and the insufficient supply of coke. This, I hope, will be remedied in the near future. I understand that the only way in which the trouble could be entirely eliminated is by the substitution of new boilers for the present ones, which are of a somewhat obsolete type. I will consider the question of replacing these.
§ Sir C KINLOCH-COOKEIs not the right hon. Gentleman mistaken as to the time of the existence of this nuisance, as within my own knowledge it has been going on for ten years?