HC Deb 17 May 1861 vol 162 cc2201-2

Order for Committee read.

Account of Exchequer Bills raised or authorized to be raised [presented 16th May] referred.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."

LORD ROBERT CECIL

said, a piece of land in the Regent's Park had for some time been cut off from the Park and let to the Toxopholite Society, and he hoped the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. Peel) would give an assurance that when the term expired that ground would be reserved for the public. The Parks of London were not a bit too large for the population, and anybody who went into the Regent's Park on a Sunday would see that it was highly expedient that the public and not any private society should have the benefit of that piece of land.

MR. PEEL

said, that no application had been made by the Toxopholite Society for the renewal of their lease, which did not, however, expire until the end of 1863. Some time ago the Society were anxious to surrender their unexpired term, but they still remained in possession of the land. He understood, however, that the rent was considerably under the present value of the land; and, therefore, supposing application were made for the renewal of the lease, the Society would, at all events, have to pay a much higher rent than at present. As to throwing open this piece of land, it had never formed part of the Regent's Park or been open to the public, so that there was no question of withdrawing from the public that which they had in time past enjoyed. When three or four years ago the proposal was made to surrender the lease a question arose what was to become of the property, and after a correspondence between the Treasury and the Office of Works it was agreed, with the consent of the latter office, that the property should be appropriated for the building of villa residences. However, the surrender of the lease not having been actually made the proposal was not persevered with, and the question of what would be done with the land when it became available was still open. The noble Lord, however, might rest assured that nothing would be done without full consideration.