HC Deb 27 July 1903 vol 126 c333
MR. CREMER

I beg to ask the hon. Member for West Derbyshire, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, seeing that the contracts for the letting out of chairs in the parks and the supply of refreshments at stalls and in the kiosks expire during the present year, he will, before renewing the contracts, and with a view of obtaining a greater revenue from both sources and supplying the public with a better class of refreshments than can now be obtained, invite tenders from other contractors publicly through the agency of the daily Press.

MR. VICTOR CAVENDISH (Derbyshire, W.)

The contract for the letting of the chairs in Hyde Park and a portion of Kensington Gardens does not expire until 1906.The remaining contracts for chairs are held on yearly licence. In Regent's Park only is the lessee of the chairs also the contractor for refreshments. The First Commissioner proposes, as opportunity and funds permit, to erect kiosks and invite tenders from a limited number of selected firms, but he does not think it would be in the public interest to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

MR. CREMER

When was the last contract entered into?

MR. VICTOR CAVENDISH

I must ask for notice of that Question.