HC Deb 22 September 1886 vol 309 cc1263-4
MR. LAWSON (St. Pancras, W.)

asked the First Commissioner of Works, At what hour the Regent's Park is opened and closed to the public at different seasons of the year, and why a difference is made in this respect between the Regent's Park and the other Royal Parks of the Metropolis; whether he is aware that the time of opening varies from day to day, and that a large number of the working class resident in the district are put to great inconvenience by the present conditions by the loss of time they are put to; and, whether he will take steps to afford them greater facilities, especially by causing the park to be opened to the public earlier in the morning?

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER (Mr. PLUNKET) (Dublin University)

At present the gates in Regent's Park are opened at 5 A.M. from March 1 to September 30; and at 6 A.M. from October to the end of February. I hope, however, to be able now to make arrangements by which these gates will be opened regularly at 5 o'clock in the morning all the year round. I should be very glad also to keep the gates open later in the evening; but that would involve a great increase of the charges for police and lighting in Regent's Park. I have had a rough estimate made by which it appears that it would cost upwards of £5,000 capital expenditure, and more than £1,800 a-year additional. I will look further into this question, but I cannot make any promise on the subject.