§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEasked the hon. Member for, Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he would arrange for schoolboys to be allowed to bathe in the Serpentine during the summer months at any hour in the day instead of in the early mornings and evenings only?
The TREASURER of the HOUSEHOLD (Mr. Dudley Ward)The First Commissioner regrets that he cannot go so far as my hon. Friend suggests, but 1065 he has for some little time been considering the general question of the bathing hours, and has decided to make some alterations which will come into force at once, before the Whitsuntide holidays. The new hours will be as follow:—
| MORNING—5.0 to 8.30. | |
| EVENING. | |
| January, February, November, December | 4.0 to 5.0 |
| March, April | 5.0 to 6.0 |
| October | 6.0 to 7.0 |
| May, September | 6.0 to 8.0 |
| June, July, August | 6.0 to 8.30 |
§ The First Commissioner has also asked for a sum of money in the Estimates to lay down a stone path for the benefit of bathers, who have complained of the sharpness of the gravel.
§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEWould my hon. Friend state whether the amended hours are not simply a grant of an additional half-hour?
§ Mr. NOEL BUXTONMay I ask whether any complaints have ever been received on account of the bathing, although the hours have included a large section of daylight?
§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEMay I ask my hon. Friend whether he will give a statement of the difficulties which prevent bathing taking place in the morning and afternoon?