§ Sir F. BANBURY(by Private Notice) asked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that Kenley Common, one of the open spaces which the Corporation of the City of London is under a statutory obligation to maintain for the use of the public for ever, and occupying an area of about 81 acres, has been taken possession of by the military, who are cutting down the trees, some of which are 80 years old; whether he is aware that there is a larger common in the neighbourhood, Farthing-down, occupying an area of 121 acres, which is more suitable, and whether he will stop the destruction of the trees until the other site has been considered?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIt has been decided to take over Kenley Common as an acceptance park for the Royal Flying Corps and as an aerodrome for the purpose of assisting against hostile daylight raids. The common has been examined by many skilled pilots, who all came to the conclusion that there was no place near at hand or near London so eminently fitted for these purposes. The alternative site suggested by my right hon. Friend was also examined in the hope that, if it proved suitable, there would be no necessity to deprive Kenley Common of its trees, but the conclusion was come to that it was entirely unsuitable for the purposes named and that, owing to its natural formation, no human skill could make it suitable. There is no intention of erecting any buildings on the common, and my information is that such trees as are being cut down are, in the main, not old trees. 155 I regret that even these should have to be cut down or that the natural amenities of this public ground should be in any way injured; but I am informed that this had to be done on the grounds of urgent national necessity. I should point out that this common has a main road right up to the aerodrome, and is served by three railway stations. These have facilities for unloading machines, which in the case of an acceptance park are delivered by road and rail in pieces from the contractors; and that it has the additional advantage of having a main water supply and electric-feed cables within close range. I regret, therefore, that she work must proceed.
§ Sir F. BANBURYIs my hon. Friend aware that no notice whatever was given to the corporation of the intention of the military to occupy this space, and that when the corporation found this out, through their keepers, the military official merely curtly said that he was going to do what he liked under the Defence of the Realm Act, and did not care for anybody; and whether, under those circumstances, it is not just that the corporation, who have no desire whatever to interfere with the devotion of proper space for an aerodrome, should be heard as to whether or not the other site is not a more suitable one?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am sorry if the corporation feel aggrieved by non-attention to the politenesses of life; but I feel assured that my right hon. Friend will admit that they are not often omitted by officers of the Royal Flying Corps. When the right hon. Gentleman says that no notice was given by them, I am loth to believe that on none of those occasions did they apprise the corporation or the keepers that they intended to make the examination. I have had this morning an opportunity of going into the whole of the facts of the case, and, as I said in my answer, we deeply regret having to take any public ground; but this matter, being one of extreme urgency, necessitated our taking the space. I can only again express my regret.
§ Sir F. BANBURYI beg to give notice that I shall call attention to this subject on the Motion for the Adjournment.
§ Mr. MORTONWas notice given to the Town Clerk of the City of London before they took possession of this common?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI cannot say. My attention was not directed to that particular point, but I will make inquiry.