§ 26. Mr. BURNETTasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will take steps to have the bare tracts near the north-east corner of Hyde Park sown or returfed in the spring?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)It is impossible to maintain this area in a satisfactory condition owing to the various uses to which it is put. Public meetings and demonstrations are held here and, for many years, resowing and returfing have proved to be very temporary expedients. An alternative would be to lay down the area in gravel which would be undesirable. Further resowing, however, will be undertaken in the spring, but I cannot promise any permanent improvement as a result of this, if the customary use, which I should be loth to interfere with, is to continue.
§ Mr. BURNETTIs not the right hon. Gentleman mistaking the area referred to? Has he examined the patches to the south-west of the railings, not those to the north-east to which he refers?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI was referring in my answer to the area south-west of the railings, off the gravel, where people go in large numbers.