HL Deb 16 June 1953 vol 182 cc937-8

2.44 p.m.

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

My Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government why all forms of seating were removed from St. James's Park on Sunday the 31st May, thereby causing acute discomfort to the aged and infirm.]

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, it is customary to remove benches and chairs from the Royal Parks during major ceremonies. It was done for both the Coronation arid the Funeral of His Late Majesty King George VI, and also during Victory Celebrations in 1946. If they are not removed, the public tend to use the chairs and benches to get a better view of the processions, and many chairs and benches get lost or damaged; in fact, on the occasion of the Funeral of His Late Majesty King George V, chairs and benches were not removed and considerable damage resulted. Every effort is made to reduce the period and extent of the inconvenience caused; chairs are removed gradually from each Park, and final removals are completed at the last possible moment before crowds assemble. Her Majesty's Government and my right honourable friend appreciate the inconvenience to the public, particularly the aged and infirm, but feel that it is outweighed by the possible danger and loss if the seats are left in position.

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that some of these seats which were removed were so far distant from the route that they could not possibly be used as stands? How the benches—I am not talking about the deck chairs, which are supplied by private enterprise—which are bolted down into concrete bases could be removed and carried away passes my comprehension. Is the noble Earl also aware that many elderly people, especially females, suffered acute distress on that Sunday afternoon—which was one of the few warm afternoons we have had—because there was nowhere to sit down except on the ground; and that sitting on the ground for women advanced in years is both inconvenient and embarrassing?

THE EARL OF MUNSTER

My Lords, I am well aware of the inconvenience suffered by the aged arid the infirm but I think it was well worth while to save a large sum being debited to the Ministry of Works to cover the cost of damage which would otherwise occur.