§ Mr. LANSBURYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the scenes of immorality taking place in and about Hyde Park at night; whether the police authorities have declared their inability to deal with this condition of affairs owing to the state of the law; and if he proposes to take any steps for dealing with this state of affairs in the near future?
§ Mr. McKENNAMy attention has been drawn to the matters in question, which could be prevented only by closing the Park at dusk and keeping it closed all night. The returns made by the police show that they have been more viligant in 1911 than in preceding years in dealing with this class of offence. The police have not reported to me that any change in the law is required to give them greater control.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the parks under the London County Council are closed after dusk?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes; but this does not apply to Hyde Park.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs there any reason why this should not be closed?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt is a public thoroughfare.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs the right hon. tleman aware that the London County-Council parks are also public thoroughfares, and that a considerable distance is saved by going through them instead of round by another way? And if it is the fact that these scenes of revolting immorality that are going on in the park cannot be put an end to in any other way than by closing the park, should they not be put an end to by closing it?
§ Mr. McKENNAA number of facts have to be taken into consideration. I will, however, bear the subject in mind.