HC Deb 18 July 1935 vol 304 cc1222-4
58. Sir CYRIL COBB

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will turf the raised terrace on the south side of the tennis courts in Queen Mary's Garden, Regent's Park, plant a wind screen of flowering shrubs or dwarf trees, and thereby convert the present untidy surface of stones and loose cinders into a sheltered lawn, looking south, with seats for the public?

Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. LAMBERT WARD (Vice-Chamberlain of the Household)

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend has already stated in replies to many similar questions, that it is his intention to lay out this area in a suitable manner as soon as funds are available.

59. Mr. BURNETT

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will suggest to the two organisations allowed to use the old Botanical Gardens in Regent's Park that the changed conditions in the Queen Mary garden, now laid out with flower beds, and rock gardens, render any part of it unsuitable for fun fairs and fetes, with booths, and untidiness, when the whole garden is needed by the public as a quiet and restful retreat in the hot weather; and whether he will ask the two organisations to transfer their refreshment marquees and entertainment booths voluntarily in future years to a suitable vacant space, such as the open-air amphitheatre near the powder magazine in Hyde Park?

Sir A. LAMBERT WARD

The use of part of the old Botanical Gardens by these particular organisations on two days in the year is of such long standing that my right hon. Friend is not anxious to disturb it. He has no evidence that any serious inconvenience is caused to the general public who, on these occasions, are not deprived of access to the rose garden, and, as he has already stated, he does not propose to disturb the existing arrangements.

Lieut.-Colonel MOORE

Would it be possible to get an undertaking from these two organisations to clear up the litter which is generally left?

Sir A. LAMBERT WARD

I believe that that is already exercising the attention of my right hon. Friend.

Sir A. M. SAMUEL

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that to say that the place is occupied for two days is not quite correct. Is he not aware that it takes in the aggregate a week to prepare for the two separate private fetes and in the aggregate nearly a week to clear the place up, that is a fortnight of disturbance during the hottest weeks of the year when the public most need the quiet use of the grass and lawns?

Sir A. LAMBERT WARD

I will mention that matter to my right hon. Friend.