HC Deb 30 October 1911 vol 30 cc520-1
Mr. CASSEL

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the condition of the roads on the east side of Regent's Park and to the condition of the wooden palings on the same side of the park, and to the fact that the roads in Regent's Park are kept in a worse condition than in any other park in the Metropolis; and, if so, what action is to be taken to reduce the danger involved to persons using those roads?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

The roads round Regent's Park running from Gloucester Gate along the south side to Hanover Gate are maintained by the Crown Estate Paving Commissioners and not by the Commissioners of Woods. The Paving Commissioners are not a public department, but I am given to understand that, after careful experiments, they have now decided to reconstruct the surface of the roads with a special kind of tar macadam and that the work will be put in hand as soon as possible. Any question with regard to the palings should be addressed to the First Commissioner of Works.

Mr. CASSEL

Can the right hon. Gentleman state to whom the Crown Estate Paving Commissioners are responsible, and whether there is any method by which their conduct can be brought under the review of the House?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I will inquire into the matter.

Mr. CASSEL

asked whether the Commissioners of Woods and Forests receive a surplus over and above the amount which they have to pay to the Treasury; and, if so, whether they will consider the desirability of keeping Regent's Park in a proper state rather than accumulating and investing surplus moneys?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

During the continuance of the present Civil List arrangements the Commissioners of Woods pay over to the Exchequer annually the whole of their net income, subject to the retention of a small working balance. Any receipts which are of the nature of capital are carried to a separate account, and subsequently invested in accordance with the provisions of various Acts of Parliament. There is, therefore, no surplus of the kind described by the hon. Member; and in any case the Commissioners, as such, have no responsibility with regard to the general up-keep of Regent's Park.