§ 33. Mr. BURNETTasked the First Commissioner of Works whether it will be possible during the coming year to restore to the general public as flower garden or pleasure gardens the now derelict portions of the old Botanical Gardens in Regent's Park and one or more of the tennis courts reserved for the use of a restricted number of persons?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)As I informed my hon. Friend in reply to a similar question on the 5th November, I propose to make provision in next year's Estimates for the continuation of this work of restoration and improvement.
§ 34. Mr. BERNAYSasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will state the amount of the Tent and profits that accrued from the lease this year of a portion of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Regent's Park, for an open-air theatre?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREFrom the examination of the accounts to date, the amount due to the Exchequer by the licencee of the open-air theatre this year is approximately £2,000.
§ Mr. BERNAYSWould my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of making some grant out of this sum, which is an extraordinary receipt, for the encouragement of similar theatres in other parts of the country?
§ Mr. HOLFORD KNIGHTDo the figures mentioned include any amount for the expenses of the director?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo, I do not think it does. I am not exactly aware as to how the expenses of the theatre side of the work are arranged. I think that, under the contract, 10 per cent. of the 24 receipts and 5 per cent. of the profits of the bar go to the Exchequer. The sum we have in hand is due to the fact that we have had two very fine summers. I feel that we ought not to begin dissipating money which has to go in other expenses—we have considerable expenses to meet in the park—because we cannot guaratee the same receipts in future years.