PALACE OF WESTMINSTER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 3 February 1926, Page 8

PALACE OF WESTMINSTER.

GRAVE STATE OF BUILDING-

THE USE’ OF UNSUITABLE STONE

A grave statement on the present condition of the fabric at the Palace of Westminster was made recently in a lecture at the House of Commons to members of Parliament by Sir Frank Baines, 'the architect who has had charge ior many years of the structure of the Houses of Parliament.

Sir Frank- said he was preparing a report on the building for presentation to the First Commissioner of Works, which he hoped would be ready before Christmas. The renovations and repairs must involve a large expenditure. While there was no need for public alarm and there was no question of any immediate collapse of the structure, yet the decay of the stone work was so serious-that it must be taken in hand. The elaborate ornamentation of the cupolas, pinnacles, turrets, and panels was in a dangerous state, and the safety of members of Parliament and of the public could not be guaranteed. Hundredjs Of tons had been taken down, and there were masses of stone at great heights readily removable by hand without the use of any tools. The decay was due to the use of unsuitable stone, and it liegan to be apparent from seven to ten years after the beginning of the superstructure in 1840. the present condition was inevitable with the atmospheric conditions of London acting on an unsuitable stone, it was estimated that it would take from 12 to 15 years to do the work required.