BOMB DAMAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24423, 8 October 1940, Page 7

BOMB DAMAGE

HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT PEERS SUFFER MINOR CUTS BIG BEN'S FACE STRUCK (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 6. (Received Oct. 7, at 10 p.m.) During a recent air raid a high explosive bomb fell in the forecourt of the Houses of Parliament, her tween the public entrance and the peers’ entrance It blew in hundreds of leaded windows and smashed a 30-feet window at the end of Westminster Hall, including part of the massive stone framing Stained glass windows on the side of the House of Lords debating chamber were blown out. and doors were torn from the hinges Glass and metal rained down on the golden thrones used by their Majesties at the opening of Parliament, but they were not scratched, although the surrounding carpets and walls were damaged. More glass was broken in the lobbies and cloakrooms of the House of Commons, and flying splin'ers caused three more wounds on the western face of Big Ben. but the time still shows on all four sides. Lord Teviot, Lord Lawrence and several officials suffered minor cuts. London had its usual air raid warning to-night, but it proved very short and people had scarcely settled down In shelters when the all clear was sounded. No bombs were dropped. A possible explanation of the absence of raiders can be found in the wild weather in the Straits of Dover, where rain, accompanied by a full south-westerly gale and heavy seas, pounded the south-east coast. Visibility was nil