§ MR. W. H. SMITHsaid, he wished to ask the First Commissioner of Works, 627 If there is any truth in the report that it is the intention of the Government to; make a road for carriages through Kensington Gardens; and, if he will state between what points it is proposed to make the roadway?
§ MR. AYRTONSir, I am not the least surprised that the hon. Member should have addressed this inquiry to me, considering the position he occupies, for it is difficult to conceive a more circumstantial report than the rumour to which this Question relates. I hope, therefore, the House will permit me to give a somewhat longer answer than usual. The rumour, which contains a certain amount of official knowledge, likely to impose on the community, states that some years ago one of my predecessors had designs prepared for making the road to which the hon. Member's Question relates; but the Government of the day not being strong enough to carry out the design, it was set aside. The report further stated that I proposed to take up that project, and bring it to a completion, in which I should be materially assisted by the great strength of the present Government. But what really has occurred is this—About eight years ago my right hon. Friend the former Commissioner of Works proposed to Parliament to spend a large sum of money in cutting a sunk road through the middle of Kensington Gardens. Upon that occasion I was active in opposing the subject, and joined with others in pressing our opposition to a Division. The result of that opposition was such that the Bill was dropped, although we were numerically in a minority, and a new scheme was taken up to improve a road which then existed to some extent, running from north to south between Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. That road has been since improved so as to form a straight road, and, considering it has been made in accordance with my views, it is absurd to suppose I could suggest a sunk road through Kensington Gardens, which I had before strongly opposed. In point of fact, there is not a shadow of foundation for the rumour; it is the last thing I should have thought of. As I am speaking, perhaps the House will permit me to anticipate a Question standing in the name of the hon. Member for Chelsea (Sir Henry Hoare), who wishes to know Whether, in the re-arrangement of the boundaries of 628 Kensington Gardens, for which a Vote is to be demanded, there will be any disturbance of, or interference with, the present line, limits, or ornamentation of the flower walk extending from the Kensington Road to the Serpentine Bridge? This carriage-road, as I explained on a former occasion, has cut off a very ragged piece of Hyde Park, which has often been spoken of in very uncomplimentary terms, and what we wish to do is to turn that unsightly piece to advantage by joining it with the ornamental portion of Kensington Gardens. My hon. Friend will understand that there must be some re-arrangement of the shrubs and walks; but such re-arrangement will, in the estimation of those who have charge of the work, rather improve the appearance of the Gardens than otherwise. As little change as possible, however, will be made.
§ LORD JOHN MANNERSsaid, he wished to ask if it would be possible, before the Vote came on, to have a plan of the proposed alterations prepared for the inspection of Members?
§ MR. AYRTONsaid, that a plan would be produced.