HC Deb 21 June 1888 vol 327 c816
MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is intended to use any portion of the Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith, for drilling or military exercises; and, if so, whether this will have the effect of excluding the ratepayers of Hammersmith from ground purchased for the purposes of public recreation?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)

I have been in communication with my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hammersmith (General Goldsworthy), and I have also received a Memorial on this subject. Looking to the local circumstances, it is exceedingly unlikely that Ravenscourt Park will be used for any military purpose, except, perhaps, for the local Volunteers. But I do not think I should be justified, on national grounds, in assenting to a bye-law which would exclude the military from the Park under any conceivable circumstances.