HC Deb 06 January 1913 vol 46 cc842-3W
Mr. CHARLES BATHURST

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the published Report on St. Paul's Cathedral by the eminent civil engineer Sir Francis Fox, in which he states that, in his opinion, the cathedral is overloaded and already actually moving and cracking, and that the proposed tramway in a tunnel with a terminal station under the street within a few feet of the eastern end of the fabric may at no distant date bring about serious injury to it; and whether, in view of the national importance of the cathedral and of its preservation from serious injury, the Government propose to institute an inquiry into the matter?

The PRIME MINISTER

There does not appear to be any necessity for such an inquiry, since those responsible for the safety of the cathedral are fully aware of the danger, and the sanction of Parliament will have to be obtained for the tramway referred to.