§ MR. SHAW LEFEVRE (Bradford, Central)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the open space adjoining Chelsea Hospital, and known as Burton's Court, to which the public have hitherto had free access, has lately been leased by the Hospital Authorities to the General Commanding the Home District, and converted into a cricket ground by means of public monies; whether it is the fact that, whenever cricket is played on the ground, thus prepared at the public expense, the public are excluded, admission being granted only to persons who obtain tickets from the Hospital Authorities; and, whether there is any neces- 1157 sity for thus depriving the inhabitants of the thickly populated district of Chelsea of the free enjoyment of an open space of 10 acres?
§ THE SURVEYOR GENERAL OF ORDNANCE (Mr. NORTHCOTE) (Exeter)(who replied) said, the open space in question had lately been leased by the Hospital Authorities to the General commanding the Home District, and converted into a cricket ground for the garrison. This had been partly done with public money; but it was usual in all large military garrisons to provide recreation grounds at the public expense. When cricket was being played admission was by ticket only. The public had no right to admission to the grounds; and as extensive grounds existed about the Hospital, the partial closing of Burton's Court was practically no loss to them.