§ 83. Mr. GILBERTasked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he has received any protest from the London County Council against the retention by his Department of part of Ruskin Park, Cam-berwell; and can his Department do anything in order to urge on the release of this and all parks in London which are still held for Government purposes?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am aware of the desire of the London County Council to resume possession of this land, and with this desire I am entirely in sympathy. The matter was the subject of considerable negotiation with the council last year, and as agreement could not be arrived at, the land is being retained with the consent of the. Ministry of Health, under the provisions of the Defence of the Realm (Acquisition of Land) Acts. I am desirous of releasing such park lands as soon as possible, but this is required at present for the hospital work of the Ministry of Pensions, which it has not been possible to arrange for carrying on elsewhere.