§ LORD AMULREEMy Lords, I beg leave 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 whether any steps are being taken or can be taken to improve the appearance of the Bird Sanctuary erected in memory of the late W. H. Hudson in Hyde Park.]
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, my right honourable friend the Minister of Public Building and Works has been considering this matter in consultation with the Committees who advise him on bird sanctuaries and on forestry in the Royal Parks. The Committees have made recommendations for improvements to the Sanctuary area, which were accepted by the Minister last year. The work involved in carrying out the recommendations is best done in the winter. This work has recently started. The Sanctuary area is to be replanted, together with the adjacent hedge, and three plane trees overshadowing the Sanctuary are now being removed. The ponds have been repaired so that they maintain the right level of water. As a result of these measures, it is hoped to make this area of the Park more attractive and convenient to all its visitors, both winged and wingless.
§ LORD AMULREEMy Lords, I should like once more to thank the noble Earl very much for his kind reply and, if I may put it as a supplementary, wonder whether in future his right honourable friend the Minister would see that the sanctuary does not get into the terrible state that it got into before the work was undertaken, as I saw on Saturday morning.
§ LORD HURCOMBMy Lords, as Chairman of one of the Committees and a member of another of the Committees to which the noble Lord referred, may I express the appreciation of both the Committees of the ready way in which the Minister has received the suggestions in this and in a good many other matters, which are designed to maintain the full amenities of these wonderful parks?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I shall be very glad to convey both suggestion and "bouquet" to my right honourable friend.