HC Deb 25 May 1922 vol 154 cc1402-3
19 and 20. Mr. N. MACLEAN

asked the Home Secretary (1) what buildings have been erected at Imber Court Park by the Metropolitan Police, and the cost thereof; whether other buildings are in course of erection or contemplated, and the estimated cost; whether the Adam and Eve stables, Kensington, are still retained as a training and sick depot for the mounted branch; and, if not, what has been done with this property;

(2) whether Imber Court Park has been purchased by the Metropolitan Police; whether this property was formerly used as a racecourse; what is the extent thereof; whether he can state what price was paid; who was the previous owner; for what police purpose has it been obtained by the police authority; and on whose recommendation or advice was the purchase made?

Mr. SHORTT

Part of the Imber Court Estate was purchased in 1920, on the recommendation of the then Commissioner of Police and of the Receiver, to provide new reserve stables, etc., for the mounted branch of the Metropolitan Police, the price paid being £12,743. Buildings comprising a riding school, stables, and married quarters have been erected at a cost of £35,000; no other buildings are contemplated. The land purchased covers about 37 acres, and was bought from Major Smith, of the Imber Court Engineering Works. It previously formed part of the estate of the late Lord Michelham, and was, I understand, used before the War as a trotting racecourse. Part of the old reserve stables at Adam and Eve Mews has been let for garage purposes, the remainder, with the quarters over, being used for the mounted men of the Paddington Division and for one of the prison vans.

Mr. MACLEAN

The right, hon. Gentleman said it formed part of the estate of Lord Michelham. In whose possession was it at the time it was bought by the Government?

Mr. SHORTT

I have answered that. It was purchased from Major Smith, of the Imber Court Engineering Works.

Captain W. BENN

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think this enterprise might have been economised in view of the necessity for such a useful enterprise as the retention of the women police?

Mr. SHORTT

I have already answered that.