HC Deb 25 May 1954 vol 528 cc177-8
1. Mr. Russell

asked the Minister of Works to give an estimate of the cost of collecting litter in the Royal Parks in 1953 or any recent year.

The Minister of Works (Sir David Eccles)

The cost of collecting and disposing of litter in the Royal Parks in London in 1953 was about £12,000. This was higher than usual because of the Coronation; in a normal year the cost would be about £9,000.

Mr. Russell

I appreciate that my right hon. Friend is responsible only for the Royal Parks, but would he not agree that over the country as a whole the cost of collecting litter must be enormous and quite a burden on the rates?

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, I am sure it is. The best thing I can do is to try to set an example in the Royal Parks.

Mr. Stokes

Is there not some way of introducing the method of a summary fine to stop this nonsense? In my view, that is the only way in which it will be stopped.

Sir D. Eccles

I doubt if that would be a good method to adopt. Under English justice men ought to be given a chance to defend themselves before they are punished.

Mr. Stokes

In order to be as untidy as possible.

2. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Works how much litter was removed from the Royal Parks on Saturday, 15th May last; what cost was thereby incurred; and how many prosecutions have been instituted for not using litter receptacles.

Sir D. Eccles

About 16 tons of litter were removed from St. James's Park at an estimated cost of £500. No special record was kept of litter removed from the other Royal Parks. No prosecutions have been instituted for 15th May.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Whilst it is deplorable that the Royal return should be marred by the vast piles of rubbish which are apparently the modern form of thank-offering, is the Minister aware that in the recent proceedings against a litter lout at Marlborough Street, the contemptuous fine of 1s. was imposed, which does not help the anti-litter campaign very much?

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, I am aware of that small fine.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

What is the right hon. Gentleman going to do about it?

Captain Pilkington

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that there are sufficient receptacles about in the parks?

Sir D. Eccles

We had placed an extra 300 bins for 15th May, but the public have a habit of taking the bins, turning them on one side, and standing on them.

Mr. E. Wakefield

Can my right hon. Friend say how many tons of litter are removed annually from the Palace of Westminster?

Sir D. Eccles

Not without notice.