HC Deb 04 May 1914 vol 62 cc8-9
5. Mr. WILLIAM THORNE

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East why a charge of 1s. is to be imposed for entrance to Hampton Court Palace; whether he is aware that the privilege of free entrance to the Palace has been enjoyed by many thousands of people for some years; and whether, in view of the unanimous protest being made against the fee for admission being imposed, he will restore to the public the privilege of free admission?

Mr. BENN

The reasons for the arrangements made were fully explained in a reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hough ton-le-Spring on the 30th of April. They will be reconsidered as soon as it is safe to do so.

Mr. W. THORNE

May I ask whether the reason the charge is made is with the object of keeping a great number of poor people out of Hampton Court, and for no other purpose?

Mr. BENN

Oh, no. The first Commissioner desires to throw the Palace open free as soon as possible. The charge of a shilling is to defray the cost of the extra police.

Mr. EDMUND HARVEY

Would it not be possible for the First Commissioner to consider the opening of the Palace from three o'clock on Saturdays free and charging a shilling on other days?

Mr. BENN

Yes, Sir. I will bring that under the notice of my Noble Friend the First Commissioner.