Mr. HILTONYOUNGasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the negotiations which are now in progress with a private firm for the sale, lease, or exchange of Crown lands near Kensington High Street, he will consider, as a necessary part of such negotiations, the protection of the historical association and amenities of this residential district before coming to any decision as to the disposal of these Crown lands; and whether he will make it one of the conditions of the exchange of such property that the said firm shall make proper provision for the parking of the cars of their customers and for the loading and unloading of the company's vans, etc., on the company's own premises and not in the public thoroughfares?
Mr. WOODThroughout the negotiations now in progress, the Commissioners of Crown Lands have had in view the interesting and historical associations of Kensington Square, and the desirability of protecting the amenities of the square as a residential district. This protection will, it is hoped, be secured. The regulation of the parking of customers' cars is not a matter within the Commissioners' jurisdiction; but in any exchange with the firm referred to, it is intended to stipulate for the provision of accommodation on the firm's premises for the loading and unloading of their vans, etc., with a view to avoiding the use of the public thoroughfares for those purposes.