VISCOUNT ELIBANKasked His Majesty's Government whether in view of the great advance that has been made in recent years in the science of acoustics, they will institute inquiries, and take such steps as may be feasible for the improvement of the acoustics of this Chamber, which are, at present, lamentably defective.
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERThe question raised by the noble Lord is largely one of cost. The reverberation period of the Chamber could be measured at relatively little cost, and, in all probability, would be found to be somewhat higher than is desirable. To make any appreciable improvement, however, would entail either very costly structural alterations, or the hanging of draperies in the Chamber. The Office of Works could, in conjunction with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, undertake a complete investigation. Such an investigation would, in itself, be expensive, and it is doubtful if the acoustic properties of the Chamber could be improved without considerable further expense, or the introduction of prominent draperies. It is felt that the time for incurring expenditure either on an investigation or on improvement is not now.
House adjourned at eight minutes past six o'clock.