§ 30. Mr. BURNETTasked the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been drawn to the dilapidated appearance of St. John's Lodge, Regent's Park, and of the other paths in the immediate vicinity other than in its flower gardens; and whether it is proposed to clean or repaint the outside of the house?
§ Captain AUSTIN HUDSON (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend the First Commissioner of Works is aware of the conditions to which my hon. Friend refers. He has under consideration several schemes for the possible use of St. John's Lodge, and until its future is decided upon, he is not prepared to authorise expenditure on cleaning or painting.
§ Mr. BURNETTDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman think his right hon. Friend will be able to make an announce-merit as to these schemes before very long?
§ Captain HUDSONI believe my right hon. Friend has this matter very closely under review—there have been several questions lately—and I think he is going to make an announcement shortly.
§ 31. Mr. BURNETTasked the First Commissioner of Works whether be will consider adapting some part of the lake, pools, and ponds in Regent's Park into a small Lido similar to that which was arranged by his Department in Hyde Park?
§ Captain HUDSONOwing to the shallowness of water throughout Regent's Park, and to the comparatively restricted areas into which it is divided up, it is not nearly so suitable for a swimming pool as the Serpentine. In all the circumstances, my right hon. Friend the First Commissioner of Works does not consider that the establishment of a Lido in Regent's Park is practicable.
§ Mr. BURNETTDoes not the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider that there is a very big demand for this to be done, and that the present facilities in Hyde Park are very much overcrowded?
§ Captain HUDSONI understand that there is not enough volume or movement of water there, for one thing, and there are many other reasons which make it not as suitable as the Serpentine.
§ Captain CUNNINGHAM-REIDWill the Minister consider the possibility of providing bowling greens such as there are in Hyde Park, which are much appreciated.