HC Deb 24 January 1949 vol 460 cc547-8
23. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Minister of Works from what dangers his Department protects the public by closing Richmond Park from sunset to sunrise.

The Minister of Works (Mr. Key)

A number of offences, particularly against public decency, are committed after dark in those parks which cannot be closed at night owing to the removal of the railings. I must also protect public property, and as Richmond Park is neither policed nor lit at night, I consider it advisable to close it at night.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that before the war, this park was open to the public after dark and that none of the difficulties to which he has referred then arose, and does the answer mean that there is now less respect for law and order than there was in the days of a Conservative administration?

Mr. Key

I do not think that the latter part of the question has anything to do with the matter. That there is at present grave difficulty so far as hooliganism and so on is concerned, is only too true.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Will the right hon. Gentleman have this park re-opened to motor traffic to which it is at present closed?

Mr. Key

That is an entirely different question. I should be prepared to deal with it if it was put on the Paper.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

It concerns the use of the park.