HC Deb 28 April 1971 vol 816 cc398-9
4. Mr. Soref

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to permit the holding of further pop concerts in Hyde Park this year.

The Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Peter Walker)

In view of the general popularity of pop concerts in Hyde Park in past years, I have given permission for two to be held this summer.

Mr. Soref

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Would he not agree that the same supervision should be afforded as was provided for in the Private Bill of my hon. Friend the Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Woodnutt) on this subject, especially in view of the increasing hazards to health which were—

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

Rubbish.

Mr. Soref

—revealed last week at the conference of the Royal Society of Health, and the increasing identity and coexistence of pop with pot?

Mr. Walker

There have been no such problems with past concerts, which have given a great deal of enjoyment to many young people.

Mr. Lipton

Is it not better that pop addicts should "do their thing", whatever that may be, in the open air rather than in dingy dens and dubious discotheques?

Mr. Walker

I agree with the hon. Gentleman.