HC Deb 15 May 1962 vol 659 cc1121-2
5. Mr. Collard

asked the Minister of Works if he will now arrange for the sale to the public, in St. James's Park, of leaflets illustrating the types of birds which frequent the lake there, as requested by the hon. Member for Norfolk, Central on 28th June, 1960.

Mr. R. Thompson

A selection of illustrated literature about birds has been put on sale in St. James's Park. This is a result of my hon. Friend's original suggestion and I am grateful to him. I regret that it has not yet been found economic to produce the special coloured leaflet he had in mind.

Mr. Collard

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Although I make frequent passages through St. James's Park, I had not noticed that he has to some extent adopted my suggestion, and I apologise for my failure. I thank him for what he has done.

Mr. Tilney

In the interest of avoiding litter, and since in the park there were, I believe, law notice boards with particulars of the various water fowl, with pictures of them, cannot these notice boards be replaced?

Mr. Thompson

I think that the existing display frame, with pictures of the ducks, geese and so forth, is perfectly adequate. It is a massive structure, not likely to be removed. We have not found that people in general leave litter lying about in the park.

Mr. Mitchison

If these leaflets are desirable, why should the hon. Gentleman be so particular about the precise economics of this quite small operation which appears to be in the public interest?

Mr. Thompson

We are always being urged not to spend too much money on this and that. We want to see whether there is a demand here. There are many books on the subject already available in the park.