§ MR. SEAVERNSI beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he has recently authorised a further lease of land to the Zoological Gardens; what is the period for which the lease is given, what the acreage, and what the annual rental.
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. HARCOURT,) Lancashire, RossendaleNo new lease of land has been made to the Zoological Gardens. A licence for the user of a few yards of land on the banks of the canal has been granted to the society in order to afford access for visitors to the Gardens to the new bridge which is being built, for the convenience of the public mainly, at the expense of the Zoological Society. The new bridge will be double the present width; half will be used by the Zoological Society and the other half as a public footway as at present from Regent's Park to Primrose Hill.
§ MR. SEAVERNSWhat rent is paid for this land? And is the use of it confined to the purposes indicated in the reply of the right hon. Gentleman?
§ MR. HARCOURTNo rent is paid. The object is to give the Society access to a bridge of which they are paying nearly the whole cost.
§ MR. MYER (Lambeth, N.)Have the Board any power of control over the pathways from the Gardens to the bridge. On Easter Monday—;
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! Notice should be given of these details.
§ MR. J. WARDasked whether the right hon. Gentleman could use his influence to procure a reasonable tariff for refreshments served to the public in the Gardens in holiday times.
§ MR. HARCOURTsaid he had no control over the tariff charges.