§ 90. Mr. MILLSasked the First Commissioner of Works if he will consider an extension of the hours of usage of the bathing station at Hyde Park, in view of the large numbers of both sexes engaged in the catering trade and entertainment profession whose leisure hours are between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Lansbury)I am proposing to arrange an extension of hours, and I hope to make an announcement at an early date.
§ 91. Mr. MILLSasked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the success attending the bathing facilities in Hyde Park, he will consider the construction of bathing pools in the more crowded areas of London where he has administrative powers over open spaces?
§ Mr. LANSBURYThe construction of bathing pools does not fall within the scope of my Department's functions. This is a matter for the local councils.
92. Sir NAIRNE STEWART SANDEMANasked the First Commissioner of Works, whether, in view of the accidents which have occurred recently to bathers in the Serpentine, he will provide a larger measure of supervision than has hitherto been thought necessary?
§ 93. Mr. DAYasked the First Commissioner of Works whether any additional police have been detailed for duty during the mixed bathing sessions on the Serpentine, Hyde Park; and will he give particulars?
§ Mr. LANSBURYPolice duties in the park have been rearranged so as to enable two additional male officers to be on duty at the bathing place in the morning, and two in the evening with a policewoman. As to supervision generally, I am satisfied that the present arrangments are quite adequate.
Sir N. STEWART SANDEMANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there was a drowning fatality there, which was not found out for several hours; can he give the House any idea of the extent to which first aid has had to be given to people who have been cut with broken bottles and sharp stones; and can he do nothing to have these obstructions removed to make the place more safe?
§ Mr. LANSBURYConsidering that bathing has been taking place for 200 years in the Serpentine——
§ Mr. LANSBURYI am sorry if the Noble Lady thinks that the fair sex are responsible for the broken bottles. Everything is being done that is necessary, and, if a mischievous person is responsible for a broken bottle, when it is 1349 discovered it will be removed, and, if the person is discovered, he or she will be removed.
Sir N. STEWART SANDEMANHas the right hon. Gentleman any idea of the number of people attended to every day for cuts?
§ Mr. LANSBURYA very trifling number indeed.
§ Mr. MILLSIn view of the large numbers of both sexes using this very great privilege, will the First Commissioner state whether in his opinion they are not behaving with as much decency as those of other ranks of society?