HC Deb 16 December 1952 vol 509 c175W
136. Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Minister of Works if his attention has been drawn to the unsatisfactory convection of the air in many portions of the Palace of Westminster, especially towards the end of a long Sitting; and if arrangements can be made whereby something more nearly approaching fresh air can be allowed to circulate throughout the building.

Mr. Molson

As I had received various complaints about the air-conditioning arrangements in the House earlier in the year, I sought the advice of the Medical Research Council. Their recommendations were adopted and seem to have resulted in improvement. There were, however, particular difficulties during the recent period of fog, when it was necessary to clean the filters of the air-conditioning plant each night instead of once a week. Even so the filters became dirty before the Sittings ended and the air in the House may then have been less fresh than usual. The air-conditioning of the Division Lobbies presents a particular problem when there is a series of Divisions, but the engineers do what they can to keep conditions steady.