MR. F. A. NEWDIGATE (Warwickshire, Nuneaton)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that that part of Rotten Row opposite to Knightsbridge Barracks, and intended for the public to ride on, is used by the Household Cavalry for practising military exercises, and that the riding track is at times consequently blocked up by hurdles erected for the purpose of affording jumps; whether until this year the Household Cavalry quartered at Knightsbridge Barracks had the privilege of using the grass in front of the barracks for this purpose; will he explain why this privilege has recently been taken away, with the result that the regiment of Household Cavalry quartered at Knightsbridge Barracks has nowhere to practise these exercises except in the barrack square, where it is impossible to practise except under dangerous conditions, owing to inadequacy of space; whether he is aware that the performance of these exercises 1416 in that part of the park allotted to riding is a matter of danger to the public, owing to its proximity to the carriage road; and whether he will give orders that their ancient privilege of practising exercises on the grass may be restored to the Household Cavalry, so that there may be no necessity in future for taking part of the riding track for that purpose, and thereby preventing at certain times of the day its use and enjoyment by the public?
§ MR. AKERS-DOUGLASPermission has never been given, so far as I am aware, for hurdle-jumping and tent-pegging on the grass in front of the Hyde Park barracks, although such exercises may have been carried out there. In the, opinion of the authorities best qualified to judge, the grass would be very rapidly destroyed were this practice to be allowed, and the Ranger has therefore permitted the Household Cavalry to use the ride for these purposes up to 7 a.m. I will, however, consult with the Ranger upon the point raised by my hon. Friend with a view to seeing whether the experiment can be tried of permitting the grass plot in question to be used, if required, after 7 a.m.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESasked whether, as the cavalry only used the Park for a few days in the year, it was not possible to allow the exercises to take place on the grass?
§ * SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)asked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that the exercises had always been carried out on the grass?
§ MR. AKERS-DOUGLASthought that last year, or the year before, the exercises were stopped in order to save the grass. He agreed that there was no reason why they should not be continued, subject to the general convenience of the public.