§ MR. STAPLETONsaid, he wished to ask the First Commissioner of Works, 13 Whether, inasmuch as the construction of the Thames Embankment has rendered it impossible to bathe in the Thames from the Middlesex shore, he will allow of bathing in some part of the ornamental water in St. James's Park in the morning before the in closure is opened, and in the evening after it is closed to the general public; and, if the answer is in the affirmative, whether he will arrange that some small portion of the shore shall be set aside for the use of those who are willing to pay for a chair or arm chair to put their clothes on?
§ MR. LAYARDsaid, he could assure the hon. Member that he had done his best to ascertain whether he could afford accommodation to bathers in St. James's Park, but the thing was impossible; for the Park waters were of limited area, and the Park being open from sunrise to sunset, and the path by the side of the ornamental water being a much-used thoroughfare, to allow bathing in the Park waters might lead to a great deal of scandal.