HC Deb 13 April 1883 vol 278 cc191-2
MR. DIXON-HARTLAND

asked the First Commissioner of Works, Who is responsible for the slope of the mounds now being formed in the Green Park; whether he is aware that one has been formed and planted so as to cut off the view of Piccadilly from anyone coming from Stafford House towards Hamilton Place; and, whether the soil could not be more sloped towards St. James's Park so as to make it an ornament?

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

Sir, the mound to which the hon. Member calls attention has been formed out of the earth which it was found necessary to remove from the west end of the Green Park in carrying out the improvement at Hyde Park Corner. It will be sloped gradually to the eastward, and when completed and grassed over will make, I confidently expect, a very attractive feature in that part of the Park.

MR. DIXON-HARTLAND

asked if the right hon. Gentleman was aware that it was already formed and sown, and could not be sloped any more?

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

It will be sloped still further. I am not aware that the mound cuts off any view of importance.

MR. DIXON-HARTLAND

said, lie would repeat the Question on Monday next. Probably the right hon. Gentleman would, in the meantime, walk up to the Park and see the mound for himself.

MR. SCHREIBER

said, the right hon. Gentleman had spoken of continuing the slope of the soil towards the east. Might not that object be best effected by lowering the crown of the existing mound, which was a sore disfigurement to the Parle?

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

said, that he did not undertake a work of that kind without the advice of those who had the management of the Park; and if any mistake had been made he was responsible for it. He suggested, however, that hon. Members should suspend their judgment until the mound had been grassed over. When that had been done, he believed they would consider it an attraction to the Park rather than the reverse.

LORD JOHN MANNERS

said, he thought the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman a lair one—namely, that hon. Members should suspend their judgment. He would, however, ask the right hon. Gentleman to give some assurance that if public opinion was still unfavourable after the mound had been grassed over there would be no difficulty in removing it.

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

said, such a course would involve considerable cost, and he would have to consider the matter.