HC Deb 20 June 1870 vol 202 cc493-4
MR. PEEK

said, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether his attention has been called to the following extract from the present year's Report of the Council of the Zoological Society:—

"Gardens, Regent's Park.

"1. Extension of the Gardens.

"For many years the Council have not ceased to urge upon the Commissioners of Works the pressing necessity for some extension of the Society's Gardens, in order to afford space for the better accommodation of their large and ever increasing collection of living animals, The Council have not failed to point out to the First Commissioner that in keeping up this collection at an expenditure of about £20,000 a year, and in a manner that is on all hands admitted to be unrivalled, the Society were performing a function that in most civilised countries is either undertaken by the State, or materially assisted by grants from the national purse,

"The Council, however, regret to say that they have not hitherto succeeded in overcoming various objections made by the Commissioners of Works to their request, except so far as to have obtained permission to re-enter into occupation of the piece of ground on the north side of the Regent's Park Canal, immediately opposite to the Society's Gardens. This piece of ground was formerly tenanted by the Society at a yearly rental of £20 7s. 8d.; and its occupancy has now been resumed by the Society from Michaelmas last upon the same terms."

And, whether he does not think, that, in consideration of what the Society has done for the enjoyment and instruction of the people and its large annual expenditure, it is entitled to consideration at the hands of the Government?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, that last year the Council of the Zoological Society applied to Mr. Layard, then First Commissioner of Works, for an additional piece of land, which was granted to them at a very moderate rent—£20 7s. 8d. a year. The hon. Member asked whether the Society did not deserve some "consideration at the hands of the Government;" and, in reply, he submitted that the decision to which he referred showed that the Government had some consideration for the Society. If the hon. Member wished to secure more land for the Society, his proper course would be to apply to the Office of Works, and if unsuccessful, to submit a Resolution to the House.