§ 76. Major GLYNasked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will state when it is estimated that all the War period buildings in the public parks of the Metropolitan area will have been removed; whether all the buildings in St. James's and Regent's Parks will be removed before the 2031 end of the year; and whether the new buildings at Acton and elsewhere will be ready for use before 1923?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. GILMOUR (for the First Commissioner of Works)I am glad to be able to inform the hon. and gallant Member that the scheme for the clearance of the Royal Parks and the Embankment Gardens is making very satisfactory progress. Up to the present the demolition of six sets of temporary buildings has actually been completed or is about to be completed shortly. In five of the remaining eases the work of demolition has either started or will be put in hand in the near future. It is expected that by the end of the summer all the temporary buildings will have been cleared away, with the exception of Birdcage House, in St. James's Park, and the Aircraft Disposal Huts and Gloucester Gate Building, in Regent's Park. As regards Birdcage House, I hope it may be possible to start demolition in the autumn. As regards the Aircraft Disposal Huts and Gloucester Gate Building, I must refer the hon. and gallant Member to my answer in the House on the 9th February last, to which I have nothing to add. The new building at Acton is practically complete, and has been partly occupied for nine months. It will be occupied to its fill I capacity by the middle of May next.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYCan the hon. Baronet say whether the buildings at Storey's Gate are going to be taken away?
§ Sir J. GILMOURYes, Sir. We hope to start in the autumn.
§ Sir C. YATEHave all the hotels and other buildings which have been rented been given up?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI must have notice of that question.