§ 17. Sir J. Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if a date has yet been fixed for the cleaning of the outside of the Palace of Westminster.
§ Mr. AmeryNo, Sir. I am at present considering the results of experiments designed to determine the best method of cleaning.
§ Sir J. RodgersHas an experiment been conducted in cleaning the Palace of Westminster by sand-blasting, and what would this mean? The House has a right to know.
§ Mr. AmeryThree experiments have been conducted, and hon. Members can see them in Black Rod's Garden. One involves what one might call the Nabarro method, of water spray and bristle 1495 brushing.—[Laughter.] One is by dry grit blasting, and another is by wet grit blasting. I leave hon. Members to think of suitable comparisons for those.
§ Mr. David SteelThe whole House will be interested in the start which the Government have made to clean up the House of Lords. Will the Minister say which of the three methods has proved the most satisfactory? There seems to be a difference in the three panels that have been cleaned.
§ Mr. AmeryThere are problems for the exterior by the method of cleaning and by the penetration of water or other substances into the building. I hope to report to the authorities of the two Houses by the end of the month or soon afterwards, though some further experimentation may be necessary.
§ Mr. DalyellWhat about the inside? Is the wet grit method good enough for penetrating the dust that accumulates around Lord Falkland and Sir William Harcourt, and many other luminaries?
§ Mr. AmeryWe must consider very carefully which methods would be more efficacious for both the statues and the living.