Memorandum on the Defective Condition of the Stonework at the and Proposals for its Presented to Parliament by Command LONDON: PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE To be purchased directly from H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE at the following addresses: 1, St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff; or 120, George Street, Edinburgh; ... ... ARRANGEMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE RESTORATION T HE object of the following memorandum is to describe the defective condition of the stonework of the Houses of Parliament, and to suggest means by which it can be repaired. It has also been thought desirable to add a brief account of the circumstances leading up to the present position in order that matters which would not appear to have had full consideration in the past may receive attention in any scheme of future repair. An endeavour has been made to keep the memorandum within reasonable limits, and at the same time to give sufficient information to enable a decision to be reached as to the line of action to be taken. Full particulars are available of the subjects referred to in the memorandum and of the evidence given before the various Select Committees, and also details regarding the qualities of the different classes of stone and the causes of decay. It is thought, however, that sufficient evidence has been brought forward to show that the condition of the stonework is such as to justify a comprehensive scheme of repair, and that a carefully selected sandstone is the best material to use to replace the stone which has to be renewed. The memorandum is based on a much fuller report, prepared by Sir Frank Baines, the Director of Works of His Majesty's Office of Works, after exhaustive inquiries into the whole question, and although it is not considered necessary to publish the full report, Sir Frank Baines will be available to amplify any points arising in the memorandum, particularly in regard to the material and methods to be adopted in the restoration. Lord Peel, the First Commissioner of Works, desires to place on record his high appreciation of the service rendered by Sir Frank Baines in the preparation of the full report, which has been compiled with remarkable thoroughness and skill. It has involved very considerable research, extending over a number of years, and much of the data will be of inestimable value to those who have finally to decide the nature and extent of the restoration. OF THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. 1. CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDING AND CHOICE OF ANSTON STONE. Selection of Barry's design.-The old Royal Palace of Westminster and its Parliament Buildings were destroyed by the Great Fire of October, 1834, with the exception of a few sections of the buildings, of which Westminster Hall was the most important. In March, 1835, a Select Committee of the House of Commons was appointed to "consider and report upon such plan as may be most fitting and convenient for the permanent accommodation of the Houses of Parliament." The Committee decided that the style of the new building should be either Gothic or Elizabethan, the design to be chosen by open competition. The accepted design was that of Mr. (afterwards Sir) Charles Barry, who adopted the Gothic style of the Tudor period as being most in harmony with the old buildings which were to be preserved, namely, the Crypt of St. Stephen's Chapel and the Cloisters and Chapels attached to the late Speaker's residence. The architect intended that "the lower or ground storey and terrace should be as simple and solid as possible, in order to accord with the plainness of the Bridge and form a bold base to the building; and that the super-structure only should be of a decorative character, so that the building might present a lofty, imposing and ornate appearance when viewed from Westminster Bridge." He also considered that "the details of the River front should be large, and those of the other fronts small, as the former could only be viewed from a distance, whereas the latter would be subject to a much closer inspection." These principles, however, were not closely followed, as practically the whole of the building is of a more or less uniformly decorative character. Portion of old building retained.-Sir Charles Barry intended to retain St. Stephen's Chapel in the new building, but in view of the conflicting opinions expressed to the Committee by various architects, it was decided that the upper part of the building was too seriously injured by the Great Fire to allow of its retention, and that it should be removed and only the Crypt preserved. No part of the external stone facings of St. Stephen's Chapel which are subject to failure to-day belongs to the original structure. The Cloisters, however, were retained in the new building, and now form the Members' Cloakroom, and the Votes and Public Bill Offices. In deciding the styles in which designs for the New Buildings might be submitted, no consideration would appear to have been given by the Committee of 1835 to the question of their suitability (34/3566) A 2 |