§ 49. Sir JOHN WARDLAW-MILNEasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will make arrangements to do away with the regulations which require private motor-cars to stop in parking places in Richmond Park, in view of the desire of those using the park not to be herded in groups in this way?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)I have hitherto received no complaints regarding the regulation to which my hon. Friend draws attention. This was made in order to prevent the increasing damage which is being done by the parking of cars on the grass, as well as by litter, and I am 981 afraid that I cannot see my way to advising its withdrawal. Upon my instructions this regulation has been enforced in such a way as to cause the least possible amount of inconvenience to motorists using the park.
§ Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNEIs there no way of preventing inconvenience in this way? Are not these regulations being enforced to move all cars into parking places, and is it not the whole object of people going to the park in cars to sit freely in their cars without being herded together in these places?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe point is that, if the traffic permits, the park-keepers allow parking anywhere on the roads in the parks, and the main object of the regulations is to prevent cars being driven over the turf and leaving litter and the rest of it.
§ Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNEWill the hon. Gentleman be good enough to make the answer which he has now given clear to those in charge of the park, because I can assure him that the regulations are not being carried out in that way?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI have made it abundantly clear, but there are occasions when there are a large number of cars in the park and parking cannot be allowed anywhere along the roads. The drivers then have to be asked to go to the specially made parking places.
§ Mr. HICKSIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there are thousands of other people who do not use cars who would like to use Richmond Park?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORECertainly, that is the point of making the regulations.
§ 50. Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware of the resentment among the public using Richmond Park for riding exercise at the closing of all the riding tracks; and whether he will make arrangements that such tracks as require to be closed for the purpose of allowing the grass to recover shall be closed in rotation, so as to allow opportunities For those accustomed to use the park for riding?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI am not aware of any general feeling of resentment on account of the measures which have had to be taken to close unsightly tracks in 982 Richmond Park. These measures were decided upon after the whole position had been explained to all the parties interested. I would point out that my aim is to prevent the formation of tracks and to encourage riders to keep to the open parts of the park. I would add that I am not closing the park to riders on any day before 10 a.m. and that it has only been closed once, and then only for an hour or so, on account of very heavy rain, when riding would necessarily have inflicted severe damage.