§ 88. Mr. G. STRAUSSasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that in a recent case concerning an attack on a man in Hyde Park a police officer stated that such attacks have lately become more frequent and that they usually take place in a very dark place; and whether, in view of this evidence, he will take steps to improve the lighting in Hyde Park?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)I find that since June of last year 12 cases of assault in Hyde Park during the hours of darkness have been reported to the police, and, of these, eight appear to have been committed quite near to the speakers' ground at Marble Arch. Additional lamps have been added from time to time at certain places, but I am having a general review of the lighting of the park made in conjunction with the police, and when this has been done I will consider what action is necessary.
§ Mr. THURTLEDoes not the right lion. Gentleman think that the moral of a case such as this is that people should not go into dark places?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAs I pointed out in my reply, the difficulty of the case is that it did not happen in a dark part of the park, but near the speakers' enclosure at the Marble Arch.