§ LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire, Chorley)To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that trees have been planted upon the Custom House Quay, and that seats have been placed there by the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, and that for many years past the quay has been used daily by large numbers of the public for fresh air and recreation during the spare moments of their day's work in the warehouses and offices adjacent; whether he is aware 1304 that there are less than half a dozen riverside spaces from the cast of Blackfriars Bridge to the county boundary, and these only of small extent, to which the public have access; whether he is aware that the City Corporation possess an adequate site for fish-market purposes at Shadwell, which has not hitherto been developed; and whether, under these circumstances, he will decline to accede to the request of the City Corporation and the fish merchants of Billingsgate that he should grant the use of the quay for fish-market purposes, which would necessitate the destruction of the trees, the removal of the seats, and the exclusion of the public from one of the few riverside spaces which they at present enjoy in the eastern part of the Metropolis.
(Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The subject is receiving my careful consideration; but I have not yet given any reply to the request of the City Corporation. I shall certainly not fail to have due regard to the important aspect of the Question to, which the noble Lord refers.