§ SIR WILLIAM FRASERsaid, that when permission to go through St. James's Park was given to hackney carriages a great boon was conferred on the public, and that permission had been largely made use of, particularly since the opening of the Victoria Station. There were, however, about twenty days in the year upon which St. James's Park was closed to public conveyances, either in the morning or evening—as, for instance, when drawing rooms and levees were being held and when balls were given. Such was the case yesterday. A considerable number of persons on arriving at the Park gates were told that they could not go through, and they were obliged to go round by another way, thus losing much of their 1348 time. He wished to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, on occasion of the Park of St. James or other Royal parks being shut to vehicles, he will cause a printed notice to be posted at all Hackney Carriage Stands, and will order Police Constables to be placed at a convenient distance from the Park gates, to inform the public of the closing of the Park?
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, that St. James's Park was never closed for the whole day, but only for a small portion of it, during a drawing-room or levee, when, of course, an accumulation of vehicles would produce great inconvenience. But the notice suggested was already given. Not only a day, but some days beforehand, large placards were posted giving directions as to the routes which carriages were to take, and notice that St. James's would be closed to ordinary vehicles during certain hours. All drivers of cabs, therefore, might be aware of the fact, and have no excuse if they did not know of the temporary closing of the route. With regard to the suggestion that policemen should be stationed at particular places he would consult the Chief Commissioner on the subject and see whether that could be done with a view to afford the fullest information to the public.
§ Motion, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair," put, and agreed to.