HC Deb 18 May 1944 vol 400 cc338-9
41. Mr. Edgar Granville

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works if he will consider extending the facilities for free use of fixed seats in the parks in the Central London area to single chairs during certain hours to the uniformed members of His Majesty's Forces.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. Hicks)

The chairs in the parks are provided by a contractor who is entitled under his contract to charge for their use, while the free seats, sufficient for 6,000 people, are provided by my Department in the Central London Parks. As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member on 10th May, this matter has received sympathetic consideration but it has not been found possible to adopt any proposal to waive the charge for chairs in the Royal Parks in the case of uniformed members of H.M. Forces.

Mr. Granville

Is my hon. Friend aware that what is happening in the parks is that birds are using the chairs and that soldiers and their friends have to use the grass? Does not my hon. Friend think it would be much better for the attendants to keep these chairs clean and in a decent state of repair instead of chasing two-pences all over the park?

Mr. Hicks

I would remind my hon. Friend that my contribution to it was to take the railings down.