HC Deb 14 November 1938 vol 341 cc497-8
66. Mr. Day

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the investigations have been completed by his engineers in collaboration with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Medical Research Council and the Government chemist into the manner in which the ventilation of the House of Commons could be improved; and will he give particulars of any decision that has been arrived at as to the possibility of installing the system of air-cooling and air-conditioning in the Houses of Parliament?

The First Commissioner of Works (Sir Philip Sassoon)

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question asked by him on 9th May. The demands made by the Defence programme on the engineering industry have by no means decreased since then.

Mr. Day

Has the right hon. Gentleman completed the inquiries he was going to make abroad with regard to systems of ventilation?

Sir P. Sassoon

I would not say they are completed, but they are still being pursued.

Mr. Crossley

What has the ventilation of the Chamber to do with the Defence programme? Why should we not have decent air to breathe here instead of air which is definitely soporific?

Sir P. Sassoon

The question is bound up with demands on the engineering industry.