HC Deb 16 February 1960 vol 617 cc1120-1
30. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Works when the work of restoring the gardens at Wrest Park, near Silsoe, Bedfordshire, commenced; when it will be completed; what is the total cost, including the wages bill, for the gardens up to the latest convenient date; what are the total receipts from admission charges; and how much did they cost to collect.

Mr. H. Nicholls

As the Answer is rather long, I will with permission circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Dodds

But does the Parliamentary Secretary deny that the facts will show a very sad state of affairs? Will he consider with his right hon. Friend seeking some advice from someone who knows something about this work, like the Duke of Bedford, or better still, in the interest of the taxpayers, appointing him Minister of Works?

Mr. Nicholls

I am rather glad that the hon. Member was able to ask that supplementary question, because I noticed in a newspaper that "Mr. Norman Brooks" was to ask this Question. Now I see that it was not Mr. Norman Brooks but the hon. Member.

Following is the Answer: The house and gardens at Wrest Park are leased by my Department to the British Society for Research in Agricultural Engineering and occupied by the National Institute of Agricultural Engineering. The Institute spends about £2,000 a year on the maintenance of the gardens. My Department is restoring the historic garden buildings and ornaments, which are of exceptional interest as features of a garden layout which is unique in this country. Work on these started in September, 1949, and the main buildings are due for completion in 1961. So far some £40,000 has been spent on the buildings. Since 1954, the historic parts of the gardens, including the garden buildings and ornaments in my care, have been open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer months. Total receipts since 1954 amount to about £250. Custody services for the gardens are provided by my Department and the total cost of these since 1954 amounts to £1,440. It is not possible to give the cost of collection separately within this total.