§ MR. JOHN AIRD (Paddington, N.)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works, if any altered arrangements are to be made for the Military bands playing in the Royal parks?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. HERBERT GLADSTONE, Leeds, W.)The times first fixed by the military authorities for band performances in Hyde Park have proved unsuitable. The following arrangements, which I think will be most convenient to the public, have now been made:— On Wednesday evenings a military band will play in the Hyde Park band stand from 7.30 to 9.30. On Sunday evenings a Guards' band will play in the Hyde Park band stand from 7.30 to 9.30; and, the same evenings, another Guards' band will play in the Green Park from 6.30 to 8.30. As a band platform has to be provided in the Green Park, the band will not play there till Sunday week.
§ MR. HANBURYDo the public make any contribution to the cost of these military bands? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, to a large extent, they are supported out of the private funds of officers of the regiment? I wish to know whether, in consideration of the bands playing in the public parks, the right hon. Gentleman will put on the Estimates a sum to meet the expenses of the bands?
§ MR. HERBERT GLADSTONEI am quite aware that the members of the bands are paid in other ways than by the State, but I must point out that the arrangement which has been made is to enable those bands to play in the parks on the Sundays when they do not get 246 any other engagements. Therefore their duties in the parks will not interfere with their other engagements.