§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what sums are being spent out of public funds by the Royal Parks Agency on the building and equiping of the agency's new stables for constabulary and working horses in Richmond and Hyde parks, on purchase of horses and equipment, on the police riding manege at Richmond and on maintaining public buildings in Richmond park.
§ Mr. SproatResponsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Royal Parks agency under its chief executive, Mr. David Welch. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given and I shall place a copy of his reply in the Library.
Letter from David Welch to Mr. Harry Green way, dated 2 July 1993:
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for National Heritage has asked me to reply to your Written Parliamentary Question below.
What sums are being spent out of public funds by the Royal Parks Agency upon the building and equiping of the Agency's new stables for constabulary and working horses in Richmond and Hyde Parks, upon purchase of horses and equipment, upon the police riding manège at Richmond and upon maintaining public buildings in Richmond Park?
71WNo new stables were built at Richmond Park. The existing derelict stables and yard were renovated and equipped at a cost of £63,242. New stables at Hyde Park were built and equipped at a cost of £38,342.
There have been 4 or 5 patrol horses for the last 40 years or so in Richmond Park, with the Metropolitan Police providing mounted officers at Hyde Park until 1 April 1993. There is now a total of 10 patrol and 2 shire horses in Hyde and Richmond Parks, the additional horses being purchased and equipped for £49,000.
The police riding manêge at Richmond Park cost £15,000 and maintaining the public buildings (stables) in future is estimated at £3,000 per annum.