§ MR.LABOUCHERE (Northampton)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that many of the taxpayers of this country, who contribute to the maintenance of Hyde Park, are unable to enjoy the pleasure of driving in that park, owing to numbered cabs not being allowed to drive therein; and whether he can see his way to put an end to this exclusion?
§ MR. DODD (Essex, Maldon)Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the practice in this matter is at Berlin, Paris, and other places?
§ *THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. H. GLADSTONE, Leeds,1220 W.) My answer to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. Without entering into the merits of the question, I may say that up to the present no representations on the subject have been made to me, nor (so far as the records of the Office show) to my predecessors, and I do not think it is possible that so considerable a change can be made without some expression of opinion by the House. In answer to the hon. Member for the Maldon Division, I will try to ascertain what the practice is in large parks in Continental cities.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREIs my right hon. Friend aware that 30 years ago I brought this matter before the House; that a discussion took place; and that there was at that time a very strong expression of opinion in favour of the change I have suggested being made?
§ MR. H. GLADSTONEI was not myself in the House at that time, but I shall be glad to refer to the Debate and see what my hon. Friend said on the subject.