MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the hon. Member for North Huntingdonshire, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he has considered the condition of the ride in Rotten Row, the defects wherein have continued for many years and are yearly increasing; whether measures cannot now be adopted to take up the whole of the existing soil of the Row to a depth of several feet in order to 693 provide such a new sub-soil and surface as will secure permanent and adequate drainage to the Row; and whether he will take further steps in order to secure an increase in the present provision of labour for keeping the Row in good order.
§ MR. AILWYN FELLOWESThe First Commissioner has had under consideration the improvement of the ride in Rotten Row. He proposes to ask the Treasury to sanction the provision in next years Estimate of £500 as the first annual instalment of a total expenditure of £2,500 on this service. To do the work all at one time would be a great inconvenience to the public; and it is therefore better to do it in sections. In the First Commissioner's opinion, it is not necessary to incur the excessive outlay which would be involved in the drastic measures of my hon. friend; the renewal of the sand will provide an adequately and sufficiently rapid drainage; and the additional sum proposed to be taken will enable more to be spent on labour.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESIs the whole £500 to be spent on sand and nothing on the drainage? Is the hon. Gentleman aware the complaint is of defective drainage and not so much of surface?
§ MR. AILWYN FELLOWESIf the sand is placed there I am told it will improve the drainage.