ROYAL PARKS AND PLEASURE GARDENS. (Hansard, 21 April 1921)

§ Mr. W. GRAHAM

I am afraid that I have not been able to give my hon. and gallant Friend much notice of the question I intend to raise on this Estimate, but the subject has been under discussion recently, and I understand he will be able to make a statement not merely with reference to the position in Edinburgh, but also with reference to the general policy of the Department regarding allotments in the Royal parks. We have been informed that it is the policy of the Board of Works to get rid of these allotments at the earliest possible moment, and I am not going to complain of the policy which has been laid down. I propose, however, to ask a specific question regarding the continuation of the allotments within the Royal Park at Edinburgh. The position there is altogether peculiar. The policy of the Board of Works has been defended because the allotments tended to interfere with the free and full enjoyment of the Royal parks by members of the public. In Edinburgh no such argument applies. The number of allotment holders is comparatively small. The allotments are confined to a diminutive part of a great expanse of territory. They are cordially approved by the Town Council of Edinburgh, they are warmly supported by all the citizens, they occupy land of which no use in particular was made in pre-War times, and they have afforded employment and enjoyment to a fair number of the working-class residents of a crowded district. The First Commissioner of Works was impressed by the peculiar character of the situation in Edinburgh at least to this extent, that he indicated his willingness to extend the tenure of the allotments for an additional 2180 year, until 1923, if I remember rightly. That promise, however, has not been redeemed in a specific form. We have no definite statement that the tenure of the allotments will be so extended and the matter remains in doubt. I wish to ask in the first place whether, in view of the peculiar position of these allotments in Edinburgh, which are not in any way interfering with the full enjoyment of this public park, it would not be possible to extend the tenure indefinitely. There would be no injustice in doing so to any other part of the country because the conditions are almost completely different. In the second place, if indefinite tenure cannot be afforded I want to ask whether the Board of Works will be prepared to grant some additional concession, or at all events to make the concession till 1923 definite, looking to the very strong representations which have been made on behalf of the allotment holders in this part of the Scottish capital.

§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. GILMOUR (Lord of the Treasury)

I understand it has been the policy of the Board of Works as far as possible to bring what were purely temporary arrangements and concessions due to the conditions of the War as rapidly as possible to an end. I have listened to what the hon. Member has said with regard to the case of Holyrood Park. As far as my information goes, the arrangement there was that the tenancy was to terminate first of all in February, 1920. That was extended until February, 1921, and in November, 1919, it was again extended till February, 1922. The hon. Member now asks that it be still further extended, either indefinitely or till 1923. All I can say at the present moment is that I am not personally acquainted with the exact position or its peculiar circumstances. I can only undertake to bring this matter to the notice of the First Commissioner of Works, and I am sure he will take a most sympathetic view, to see if it be possible to grant any further facility, at the same time preserving the amenities of these public parks.