HC Deb 23 July 1914 vol 65 cc620-1
28. Mr. WEDGWOOD

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether a party of American girls, now performing at the Anglo-American Exhibition, who were riding viâ Rotten Row to pay a visit by invitation at the Royal Mews on Tuesday last, were turned out of Hyde Park; and, if so, why was this indignity put upon them?

Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN (Lord of the Treasury)

The First Commissioner has read a report from the police, and considers that the constable who spoke to these riders acted in a perfectly proper manner. The riders were not, as a matter of fact, turned out of the park.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Did they continue in the park? Are we to understand that the police did not turn them out of the park?

Mr. BENN

I understand they told the police constable that they were about to leave, and they did so.

Mr. KING

Is the hon. Member aware that a Member of this House has a photograph of these ladies, and will the hon. Member ask to see it?

Mr. BENN

Yes.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Why did the police constable speak to the ladies at all?

Mr. BENN

I understand that the reason is he imagined these riders were infringing one of the by-laws, which is to the effect that nobody must ride in the park for the purpose of advertisement.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Is it true that they were riding in the park for the purpose of advertisement?

Mr. BENN

That must be the true reason, because they rode both ways, and not in the direction of the Royal Mews.