Air recirculation

[1750GTV]

Whilst renewing my carby mounts (previous post) I got a chance to have a better look at something that has puzzled me for years.
On the late model 1750s, there seems to be a fairly primitive attempt at pollution control. The breather from the cam cover feeds back into the air filter at the front and there is also a smaller pipe that is connected to the inlet manifold only at cylinder #1 (arrowed in the picture). Why and will it do anything if I plug it?
Chris

[enzo1891]

yeah dont plug it the the big hose reuses the unburnt fuel that enters your engine bay and the small hose just helps with vacum.

[1750GTV]

Capisco.
Grazie,
Chris