The MARQUESS of CLANRICARDEwas understood to inquire whether Mr. Gurney was to be permitted to give evidence and to submit estimates for ventilating the New Houses to the Committee now sitting.
§ VISCOUNT CANNINGsaid, that some years ago a Committee of both Houses had recommended the adoption of Dr. Reid's system of ventilation, and they had voted sums of money to carry it into effect. Mr. Gurney had made an application to him (Viscount Canning) upon the subject; but he conceived that in a matter of this nature, on which a Committee of the House had expressed a decided opinion, it did not become him to depart from the usual course. If, however, their Lordships thought fit, and the Committee now sitting reported that an experiment should 171 be made of Mr. Gurney's system, there was no objection on the part of Her Majesty's Government to give it a fair trial.
LORD CAMPBELLsaid, the cause of complaint seemed to be getting worse and worse. When he came down to the House in a morning, the air was not respirable; it was really quite stifling. He was therefore most anxious that Mr. Gurney should have a trial, for it was impossible he could make the air worse than it was.