§ 50. Sir C. COBBasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will take steps to improve the condition of some of the plane trees at the sides of the road in the Mall between the Admiralty Arch and Buckingham Palace; and whether he has ascertained the cause of their unsatisfactory condition?
§ Mr. BLINDELLI have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend the First Commissioner of Works has had this problem under consideration for some time, and has called in specialist advice. It is not possible until the autumn to make a thorough examination of the roots of the trees, and until then he can say nothing as to the cause of the trouble. My hon. Friend may like to know that remedial measures, such as provision of gratings for watering and the improvement of the soil, have been taken from time to time. He will realise also that the exceptionally dry weather must have affected the general condition of the trees.