§ 69. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the First Commissioner of Works whether any and, if so, how many trees have been cut down in Regent's and Hyde Parks and Kensington Gardens in connection with his schemes of playgrounds, etc.?
70. Sir HILTON YOUNGasked the First Commissioner of Works how many trees have been and will be destroyed in the course of the present alterations in Regent's Park?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Lansbury)I will answer these questions together. No tree has been cut down in Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens in connection with these schemes. One tree was cut down on the site of the boating pond in Regent's Park, but this would have had to come down in any case very soon. I think I ought to add that my Department is compelled to remove from time to time from the parks a considerable number of decayed and dangerous trees. The removal of such trees recently seems to have given rise to some misapprehension as to the object of the work. Several fresh trees are planted for every one which has to be removed.
§ Mr. O. LEWISCan the right hon. Gentleman explain how it happens that 926 these trees have had to be removed just where the cinder track is to be put?
§ Mr. LANSBURYI think the hon. Member is under a very grave misapprehension. None have been removed in connection with the cinder track.
§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the water garden originally laid out by Sir Joseph Paxton is destined to be removed, like the solitary tree in Regent's Park, and will he give the matter his attention?
§ Mr. LANSBURYI am not aware of anything of the kind.
§ Mr. LANSBURYSeeing I have had my eye on no trees, I do not know what the hon. Member means.
§ 72. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the First Commissioner of Works if he has received any representations from the National Playing Fields Association in favour of organised games on the old exhibition grounds in Hyde Park in place of the unorganised games hitherto permitted?
§ Mr. LANSBURYYes, Sir, both the London Playing Fields Association and the Association named, urged on me the desirability of arranging for this ground to be so used, and it was a prominent member of the Association who provided the funds for carrying out the necessary works of preparation.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKIs it not much better to have two or three hundred small children playing where now there is space only for six XI's or organised players to play?
§ Mr. LANSBURYThe hon. and gallant Member seems to be unaware of the fact that for many years past three Army teams have used that ground regularly. If the hon. and gallant Member is acquainted with the place, he will know that we are not preventing any children from playing, or anyone else from getting recreation.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKCan the right hon. Gentleman explain how little children can play there while a football match is in progress?
§ Mr. LANSBURYThere is plenty of other room for the little children.
§ 76. Sir W. DAVISONasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has in mind the erection of any buildings or pavilions either in Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens, or any alterations in their lay-out; and whether ho can assure the House that no such buildings or alterations will be put in hand without particulars being first submitted to the House of Commons?
§ 77. Mr. O. LEWISasked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the anxiety as to the effect of the alterations he is making or is about to make in the London parks, he will have prepared and exhibited in some position convenient for inspection by Members of this House a sketch plan of each of the parks affected, so as to show the position and approximate area of each alteration; and to give Members an opportunity of judging how far the general amenities of the parks will be affected?
§ 78. Mr. BROADasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has satisfied himself that the designs of any structures to be erected in the Royal parks to provide shelter for children or bathers will be such as not to detract from the natural beauties of the parks?
§ Mr. LANSBURYI have, in reply to various questions, informed the House of most of the schemes which I have approved, not only in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, to which the question asked by the hon. Member for South Kensington specially refers, but also in the other Royal parks. I am satisfied that the structures which are to be erected will not detract from the beauty of the parks, and in order that hon. Members may judge for themselves I have arranged for the designs of three of them to be exhibited in the Tea Room. I will arrange for the plans asked for by the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. O. Lewis) to be prepared and exhibited.
Earl WINTERTONDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose to carry out any further buildings without the express authority of this House?
§ Mr. LANSBURYI propose to do exactly what every other Commissioner of Works has done.
Earl WINTERTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that; no other First Commissioner has ever erected a single building in any of the parks without the express authority of this House?
§ Mr. LANSBURYI think the Noble Lord is quite misinformed. Each summer time one of the most ugly hoardings possible to be erected has been erected on the pathway of the Serpentine, and I expect the Noble Lord has seen it without taking the trouble to call in question the putting up of one of the most unsightly, ugly buildings that could possibly be erected.
Earl WINTERTONThe right hon. Gentleman misunderstands my question. I was referring to permanent buildings of bricks and mortar, and, if the First Commissioner will look at the precedents, I think he will find that I am perfectly correct in stating that no such buildings have been erected without the express authority of this House.
§ Mr. LANSBURYI cannot trust my own memory on this point, and I am not going to take the Noble Lord's memory.
§ Sir W. DAVISONAm I to understand that the First Commissioner has not in contemplation the erection of any permanent buildings in either Kensington Gardens or Hyde Park other than the bathing pavilion which is in the enclosure to which he has just referred; and is there no intention of erecting a carillon, or anything of that kind?
§ Mr. LANSBURYI think the hon. Gentleman has rather misunderstood my answer to a previous question. There is to be a small pavilion erected at the end of the sports ground for people who play football to change their clothes. That and the other building I have mentioned are the only two buildings.
§ Mr. J. JONESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the War period and during the General Strike a series of ugly buildings were erected in the parks without this House being consulted?