§ MR. JOHN AIRD (Paddington, N.)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works if arrangements have been made for paying the military bands who have been playing in the Royal Parks?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. AKERS-DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine'sAn objection has been raised by the Military Authorities that it is inadvisable for a public department other than the War Office to pay for the services of a military band when those services are placed at the disposal of the public by the order of a commanding officer. It has, however, been arranged that the bands which have played in Hyde Park and the Green Park shall receive a gratuity out of the receipts from the letting of chairs; and before next year the whole question will be considered by the Office of Works in conjunction with the Military Authorities.