§ 35. Mr. Mitchisonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that on 22nd June, 1954, the Administrator of Dominica let part of the botanical gardens at Roseau for use as the playground of a fee-paying denominational girls' school; by what authority and under what powers this lease of public property for 99 years at a nominal rent was granted; and what steps have been taken, or are to be taken, to preserve the part in question and other parts of these gardens for the public use for which they were originally purchased and intended.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydUnder the authority of the Governor in Executive Council, a quarter of an acre out of the 45 acres of the botanical gardens at Roseau has been let to the Convent High School for Girls in order to provide minimum playground space. The area leased is adjacent to the Convent. There is no intention to deprive the public of the use of any other part of the gardens.
§ Mr. MitchisonDoes the Secretary of State realise that these are public gardens, and that if a quarter of an acre is let to one school, there is nothing to prevent further encroachment on this public property? What steps does he propose to take to restore to its proper public use this part of the gardens and to see that there are no further encroachments?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIn the light of the good work that is being done by the Convent, that question is a little ungenerous.