§ 75. Sir H. CRAIKasked the First Commissioner of Works if he is aware that a large part of Kensington Gardens is still closed to the public owing to the hutments and other erections placed there by the War Office, in the removal of which scarcely any progress has been made; that the public are deprived of the use of the gardens at the best season of the year while no public work of utility is being carried on there; and that sentinels are being employed in the work of guarding the gates; and whether he proposes to take any steps to secure the reopening of this part of Kensington Gardens?
§ Sir A. MONDSince the hon. Member raised this question in Debate I have done my utmost to secure the removal of the buildings referred to, and have now re- 1683 ceived an assurance from the military authorities that the demolition will be commenced in about ten days' time.
§ Sir H. CRAIKWould it not be possible to get someone to remove these huts, which have prevented the public using the gardens at the very best part of the year, and which I am certain a few men could clear away in the course of a week? They have now been standing for about three months absolutely unoccupied.
§ Sir A. MONDI have been trying to get them away. I understand the difficulty has not been the question of men but whether the huts were to be sold as they stood, or what was to be done with them. They will be removed in a few days' time
§ Sir H. CRAIKCould he not attempt to use some disciplinary action against the obstinacy, the stupidity, the slackness, the carelessness of those who are responsible?