§ MR. NORRIS (Tower Hamlets, Limehouse)asked the First Commissioner of Works, If he is able to state that such arrangements have now been made with Sir Charles Warren, the Chief Commissioner of Police, as to ensure proper control and supervision in and around the Regent's Park, with a view to prevent a recurrence of the disgraceful scenes which have for some time past taken place there; if he proposes to have the vacant grass land between Gloucester Gate and the North Gate properly enclosed, or to adopt other means for public security and the prevention of misconduct within the area of the Park; and, if he will define the relative position of the "Woods and Forests," the "Department of Works," and the police, with reference to the Park and roads, and state the Acts of Parliament under which their duties are respectively carried out?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER (Mr. PLUNKET) (Dublin University)The Chief Commissioner of Police has made certain alterations in the system of patrolling the roads in Regent's Park, which have, I believe, ensured a better control of disorderly persons; and I have put myself in communication with the Crown Estates Paving Commissioners, with a view to improving the lighting of the Inner Circle—a change which I am assured by the Police Authorities will greatly assist them in the performance of their duties. The enclosing of the grass land between Gloucester Gate and the North Gate would, I think, prevent a considerable amount of misconduct in that part of the Park; and I have applied to the Treasury to sanction the necessary expense of such enclosure. As to the third paragraph of the Question, I am afraid I can not add much to the definition which I gave in answer to my hon. Friend on the 7th of this month, except to say that the Acts of Parliament on which that definition rests are, as regards the position of the Woods and Forests and the Department of Works, the 14 & 15 Vict., c. 42, secs. 22 & 23; as regards the duties of the Metropolitan Police within Regent's Park the 35 & 36 Vict., c. 15, secs. 7 & 8.