§ 66. Mr. Liptonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment by how many inches, and in what direction, the tower of Big Ben has leaned from the perpendicular in the years 1952, 1962 and 1972, respectively.
§ Mr. Eyre:Figures are not available before 1960 but in that year a survey showed an inclination of about 15 inches towards the north-west. No change was detected until 1968 when a more accurate survey with modern instruments of greatly improved design showed that the inclination was 9½ inches in the same direction. The most recent test was carried out on 29th March, 1972, and showed no significant variation.