PARLIAMENT HOUSE

Shannon News, 14 January 1927, Page 4

PARLIAMENT HOUSE

PINNACLES NOW TOTTERING. London, November 23. ' The numerous workmen constautiy engaged in making repairs to the crum- ' . bling stone of the Houses of Parliament find themselves in* a position not unlike that of a man pouring water into a sieve. As soon as one part is paired another begins to disintegrate. " V The condition of the upper fabric is now causing the greatest concern. Some months ago Members were warned that when walking on the terrace, they must take care not to venture too near the walls. It- was explained that the flakes of stone, and possibly considerably heavier fragments might fair on' their/heads. Cracks in Stonework. It has now been discovered, that some of the biggest pieces of decorative stonework, especially the pinnacles and •. ornamental battlements, have develop- • ed cracks some inches deep and are in danger of falling, an Office of Works' official told the "Westminster Gaz- ,; ette" yesterday. "A large number of masons have been drafted for that work and are doing all they can to repair the fabric quickly. ' . "The whole place is going to pieces. Workmen have been there ever since it was built, but the cracks in the battlements are particnlarlv serious." The smokv aiinosphere of London with the acids it contains is one of the chief reasons for the "rotting'/ of the . building, although the stone itself is- . , said tp.be unsuitable for a building ot this kind. . ' Before any drastic alterations are undertaken the Royal Fine Arts Commit sion will be consulted. '•