§ 2.40 p.m.
§ LORD BROUGHSHANEMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government if they will take such steps as may be necessary to secure the removal of the plot of unsightly vegetables of poor quality which have long been disfiguring one of the grass plots on the eastern edge of Hyde Park bordering on 485 Park Lane, as no useful purpose would appear to be served by the retention of such an inferior example of allotment cultivation on such an unsuitable site.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF WORKS (LORD MORRISON)My Lords, while my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries cannot accept the noble Lord's suggestion that this demonstration allotment is either unsightly or badly cultivated, he agrees that it has now served its purpose. I am therefore arranging for the plot to be restored as part of Hyde Park.
§ LORD BROUGHSHANEMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his reply, I should like to ask whether he is aware that the vegetable plot referred to has upon it a notice in which there appears in very prominent lettering, for all who pass to read:
§ "MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE—DEMONSTRATION 5-ROD GARDEN PLOT."
§ The public, therefore, naturally assume that the plot is intended as an illustration of the ideal method of growing vegetables on a small allotment, whereas, in fact, the vegetables are highly unsatisfactory; in particular, the potato haulms are little thicker than a pencil. I can vouch for that as I have looked at them closely. I suggest that, from every point of view, it is most undesirable that this very prominent position should be taken up by an exhibit arranged by the Ministry of Agriculture and purporting to show how vegetables should be grown, when the vegetables, in fact, are such as to make a really farcical display.
§ LORD MORRISONMy Lords, I will arrange for the notice to be taken down at the same time as the plot is restored.