§ Mr. Keyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when the chimes from the Big Ben Clock Tower will be restored to proper working order; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George Young[pursuant to his reply, 28 February 1986, c. 735]: There is nothing technically wrong with the chimes. Examination has revealed that a rubber bush, which absorbs the strike of the hammer on the largest quarter bell, has gradually become frozen hard over the current extended period of severe weather and has lost its usual resilience. The effect of this is to curtail the sound of the last strike. The expected onset of warmer weather will return the chimes to their former familiar sound.
This problem has not occurred since the harsh winter of 1947.