Mr. ROBINSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, how many men are engaged on the outer stone work of the Palace of Westminster; whether there is still any risk of pieces of stone falling on to Members of either House or the public; and how long it will be before the work of renewal and repair of the outer fabric will be finished?
§ Sir V. HENDERSONAt present 20 men are employed on the hand-picking and inspection of the stonework to prevent the risk of falling pieces. A survey of a part of the building will shortly be made, and the work of repair begun in the Autumn Recess. It is impossible to state at present how long it will take to complete the repairs.