§ Mr. BECKERasked the Minister of Agriculture the reasons for charging ld. on some days of the week and 6d. on other clays of the week for entrance into the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew; the total number of visitors to Kew Gardens during 1923; the average daily number of visitors on days when ld. is charged, and the average daily number of visitors when 6d. is charged; and will he consider reducing the high price of admission for a mother with a perambulator?
§ Mr. BUXTONThe object of the increased charge for entrance into the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, on Tuesdays and Fridays is to restrict the use of the gardens on those days, as far as practicable, to those who desire to visit the gardens mainly for educational —as distinct from recreation—purposes. The gardens are a scientific institution and not an ordinary public recreation ground, and in the administration of these gardens regard must be had to other considerations than those that apply in the case of parks and public recreation grounds. The total number of visitors to Kew Gardens during 1923 was 1,186,662; the average daily 'number of visitors paying at the turnstiles on days when a ld. was charged (including Bank Holidays) was 4,267, and 651 when 6d. was charged. I will carefully consider the question of the prices of admission for perambulators.