57. Captain T. J. O'CONNORasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he has ascertained how long it would take to clear the Chamber and Galleries of the House of Commons in case of fire or riot if a full House were sitting?
§ Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSON(for the FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS): I can assure the hon. Member that adequate precautions are taken against a possible outbreak of fire in this building. 28 I am informed that the House could probably be cleared in about seven minutes. As regards the question of a riot, it is, perhaps, hardly necessary to consider that contingency.
§ 58. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what progress has been made in the proposed alterations with a view to securing an improvement in the ventilation of the House?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONProvision for the equipment of the ventilation of the Chamber is made in the Estimates for 1925–26, and the work will be put in hand during the Autumn recess, if Parliamentary sanction be obtained.
§ Sir W. DAVISONAre steps being taken to have everything ready in the way of Estimates, so that we may not continue this very out-of-date system of having our boots dusted before we breathe the air?
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEAre such proposals being subjected, first of all, to the members of the Research Council who prepared a most elaborate report on the subject before the War?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONAll these considerations are being taken into account.