§ 59. Mr. BERNAYSasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is satisfied that every possible effort has been made to improve the ventilation of the House of Commons?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)A very comprehensive engineering report on this subject was presented to Parliament in June, 1931, as Command Paper No. 3871 of that year. This report is available in the sale office. I have recently had analyses made of the air in the Chamber and Lobbies at different times of the day, and am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Government chemist's report. I am further carrying out a similar but more complete survey of the ventilation of the whole building, as a result of which I hope it may be possible for more definite conclusions to be reached.
§ Mr. BERNAYSIs my right hon. Friend aware that the atmosphere of this House compares very badly with that of any cinema in the country?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORECertainly, that is my own impression; but all the scientific and technical experts who have investigated the subject have found the contrary.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs my right hon. Friend aware of the practice which obtained some years ago in this House of providing the streptococci in this Chamber with bowls of broth from time to time, in order to test their numbers and strength, and can he tell the House whether recent provision has been made for similar trials of strength?
§ Mr. GEOFFREY PETOWill the right hon. Gentleman try the old-fashioned system of opening the windows more frequently?
Viscountess ASTORIs it not true that it is the mentality of this House which is sometimes oppressive, arid not merely the atmosphere?