6. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked on what conditions about eighteen acres of Regent's Park were leased to the Royal Botanic Society in 1901; whether these conditions have been strictly complied with; what are the terms of membership of that society and the number of members; and whether the President of the 164 Board of Agriculture will consider the desirability of terminating a tenancy which reserves for the pleasure of a favoured few a considerable area of Crown Land?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe Lease (dated 17th July, 1901) to the Royal Botanic Society of London is for a term of 31 years from 5th April, 1901, at a rent of £450 per annum. The lessees are under covenant to use the premises as a Botanic Garden unless with the previous consent, in writing, of the Commissioner of Woods, not to erect any additional building or altering existing building without the like consent, and to permit all well-conducted and respectably attired persons, on payment of one shilling, to have access to the gardens during reasonable hours on not less than two days in every week during thirty-four weeks in January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, and December, and on not less than sixteen days during May, June, and July. I have no reason to suppose that the conditions are not complied with. I am unable to give the information desired as to the terms of membership of the society and the number of members. There is no power to determine the lease so long as the covenants and conditions of it are duly observed.
§ Sir W. BYLESMay I ask whether this land was alienated from public use for the sake of the rent in 1901?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, Sir. All that was held-by the Crown in 1901 was let on a new lease to the Royal Botanic Society.
7. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked whether the Crowns has received payment in the past for opening for public use portions of Regent's Park previously reserved for private use; and whether the Crown would require any payment, and, if so, what lump sum for permanently opening for public use the following portions of Regent's Park, namely, the Toxophilite Society's premises (about six and a half acres), two enclosures in the south-west portion of the park adjoining the Outer Circle road (about eight acres), and the additional land attached to the Baptist College (about four acres)?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANPayment has not been made in the past for opening for public use portions of Regent's Park previously reserved for private use, as it has been practicable to open such portions 165 without loss of revenue. As I have before stated, further land cannot be given up without adequate compensation if loss of revenue is involved, but as no offer to make compensation for the lands referred to has been received, the amount that should be required has not been considered. The land attached to the Baptist College is held under a lease that has still nineteen years unexpired, and the two enclosures referred to are held under a lease that will not expire until 1922.
8. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked whether the President of the Board of Agriculture will guarantee that no leases of premises in Regent's Park, renewals of which are under negotiation, shall be renewed until the leases hitherto in force have expired?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have undertaken that negotiations shall be suspended until 1st July next, and I cannot give any further guarantee.