HL Deb 07 April 1971 vol 317 cc322-3
LORD AMULREE

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how they can encourage the owners of London Squares to follow the example of the Grosvenor Estate in replacing the netting around the gardens of Eaton Square with proper railings.]

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, the Government attach great importance to the enhancement of the environment and are pleased to be able to encourage work of this kind by example and by precept. As noble Lords will know, railings have been provided in recent years for Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and the Piccadilly frontage of Green Park; and the Government welcome this opportunity of acknowledging the action taken by the Grosvenor Estate in Eaton Square and of commending this initiative to other owners of London Squares.

LORD AMULREE

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. May I ask him whether the Government will do all that they can to get other landowners to follow the example set by the Grosvenor Estate?

BARONESS PLUMMER

My Lords, does the noble Lord know what has happened to the railings that were taken down in the park: whether it was felt to be worth while keeping them in store, or whether they were destroyed?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, I will find out for the noble Baroness and let her know.

LORD FARINGDON

My Lords, does not the noble Lord agree that it would he better to remove the obstacles placed in Hyde Park and to leave the ground to be grassed?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, I am sorry, but I did not catch what the noble Lord said.

LORD FARINGDON

My Lords, would the noble Lord not agree that it is better that there should be nothing rather than to have the obstacles that have been placed along the sides of the drives in Hyde Park?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, this is a matter of taste and amenity. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State only wants to encourage what is best for all of us.

LORD FARINGDON

My Lords, would not the noble Lord agree that this is perhaps a question of taste and not of environment?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord.