HL Deb 05 June 1845 vol 81 cc120-2
Lord Brougham

said, during the three nights' debate in that House, some of his noble and learned Friends having been in the House from ten o'clock in the morning till three or four o'clock the next morning; and from 200 to 300 or 400 people having been crowded into so small a building, the greatest inconvenience had been experienced from the imperfect ventilation. He therefore wished to ask his noble Friend (the Marquess of Clanricarde), whether it was the intention of the Committee appointed by their Lordships with reference to the New Houses of Parliament to proceed with their duti?

The Marquess of Clanricarde

admitted that great inconvenience had been experienced by noble Lords who had been present during the late debate. This was a most important subject; for although he had not himself suffered from the late protracted sittings, yet there were many noble Members of that House whose health and lives were valuable to the country, who could not but experience injurious effects from long debates held under such unfavourable circumstances. He considered that if proper attention had been paid to their Lordships' wants, they might now have had another place far better fitted for their discussions than this House. He was aware, that if he found fault with the conduct of any professional or other individuals, that conduct might be strongly vindicated; but he would say, that it was not at all creditable to those employed that their Lordships had not better accommodation. He considered that the Committee to which his noble and learned Friend had referred, and for the appointment of which he (the Marquess of Clanricarde) originally moved, ought immediately to reassemble. If that Committee had possessed more extensive powers they would have been better able to effect the objects for which they were appointed; but he would name a very early day for the reassembling of the Committee.

The Marquess of Normanby

could confirm what had been said as to the wretched state of the ventilation of the House. He could not blame the gentleman employed to take charge of the ventilation, for the whole structure was such as to defy his efforts. He did hope that the Committee appointed to look after the construction of the New House would be able to obtain from the architect some assurance that next Session they would be able to remove into it.

Lord Campbell

said, that his noble Friends below him (Lords Brougham and Cottenham) had suffered so severely last night from the imperfect ventilation, and the sudden draughts of hot and cold air, that they had been unable to attend to the legal business in that House to-day. The noble and learned Lord was understood to say that Mr. Barry had given an assurance as to the time when the new House might be expected to be ready for occupation.

Lord Brougham

I don't regard the assurance of Mr. Barry as worth the value of the paper on which it is written. Mr. Barry is all but resisting the authority of this House he is fencing with the House. He foolishly, short-sightedly—and, as he will find to his cost, most ignorantly—fancies that he has high protection out of this House. He will find himself mistaken, completely mistaken.

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