§ 27. Mr. FELLasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he can state the gross revenue derived by the Crown from Regent's Park; the amount of the expenses of the park; and the net revenue or loss from it during the last year?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI assume that the hon. Member by "Regent's Park" refers to the property within the Outer Circle Road. In that case the rental received by the Commissioners of Woods in the year to 31st March, 1913, amounted to £3,623 19s. 6d., after deducting Property Tax allowed to tenants. The park that is open to the public is not maintained by the Commissioners of Woods. I am informed by the Office of Works that their expenses in maintaining this part of the park were estimated for 1912–13 at £15,163 gross and £13,563 net, but this excludes any salaries in that office (Bailiff of Parks and Secretariat, Finance Division, etc.), which it would be impossible to apportion.
§ 28. Mr. FELLasked whether the recent erection of lofty and other buildings in Regent's Park is owing to the pressure of the Treasury to obtain as large a revenue as possible from that park?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. FELLIs it the fact that the Office of Woods and Forests has been greatly hampered by the action of the Treasury in dealing with the leases that are falling in?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, I do not think the Treasury ever hampers another Department. It exercises a very proper financial control.