§ LORD AMULREEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when the pieces of the Cumberland screen will be removed from behind the Powder Magazine in Kensington Gardens in fulfilment of the hope exprssed to him on May 29 last.]
THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (EARL JELLICOE)My Lords, it is expected that the screen will be moved before this spring. It was offered for sale by open competitive tender last autumn, on the basis that it should be removed from Hyde Park as soon as possible after the acceptance of the most favourable tender. The firm who tendered successfully have bought the screen in order to re-erect it at their premises in the North West of England, and to make it an object of interest and attraction in the locality. Her Majesty's Government feel that, in the interests of the satisfactory fulfilment of this scheme, some postponement of the date set for its removal is justified. The area behind the Magazine will then be tidied up as quickly as possible.
§ LORD AMULREEMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Earl for his full and friendly reply. May I ask, as a supplementary question, whether he can ensure that in future the Ministry of Works, when they want to move bits of monuments, do not put them in one of the most obvious places in one of the most popular parks in town?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I will certainly undertake to see that the noble Lord's suggestion is conveyed to my right honourable friend.