HC Deb 10 July 1950 vol 477 c926
3. Mr. Russell

asked the Minister of Works if he can give an estimate of the annual cost of sweeping up litter left by the public in the Royal Parks.

Mr. Stokes

Approximately £8,500. I have instructed the Park officials to prosecute litter leavers, which policy I hope will have the full support of this House.

Mr. Russell

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this practice is on the increase or the decrease? Are we becoming a more tidy nation or less tidy?

Mr. Stokes

It is pretty bad. I can only tell the House that after Whitsuntide we picked up 45 tons of litter in the Royal Parks in the centre of London, and that in the weekend following it was even worse; the figure was 72 tons.

Mr. Keeling

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will give full publicity to any convictions he obtains? I am sure that the effect would be to remove this reproach to the capital of England.

Mr. Stokes

I think that will follow in the natural course of events, as a result of action in the courts.