HC Deb 08 February 1955 vol 536 cc1709-10
1. Sir W. Wakefield

asked the Minister of Works when he is proposing to close to the public the tennis courts, netball pitches, refreshment pavilion, storerooms, etc., in Regent's Park, as the golf school adjacently situated has been closed.

The Minister of Works (Mr. Nigel Birch)

My hon. Friend is misinformed about my intentions. The reasons for closing the golf school were given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on 15th June, 1954.

Sir W. Wakefield

Is the Minister aware that his answer will give great satisfaction? In view of the fact that he is not proposing to close these amenities to the public, will he now reopen this golf school and stop the discrimination against it, since the amount of space taken up by the golf school is no more than that occupied by the tennis courts? Surely, the public are entitled to be able to enjoy these facilities?

Mr. Birch

The licence under which the golf school operated was rather different from the others, and the licence was continued until the original proprietor retired.

Sir W. Wakefield

Will my right hon. Friend say why a different arrangement could not be made so that the public might continue to use the amenities and facilities of the golf school in the same way as they use the tennis courts?

Sir F. Messer

May I ask if the closure is because of the use of golf language?