§ Lieut.-Colonel MOORE-BRABAZONasked the First Commissioner of Works why the public are not allowed to walk across a piece of land in Hyde Park on which grass is now regrown, in view of the fact that football is allowed to be played by certain teams; whether he is aware that the playing of football on growing grass has a damaging effect, whereas the walking over growing grass does no harm, as can be proved by the experience of all green keepers on golf courses; and whether he can now see his way to open the land to the public, who have now been excluded for over a year?
§ Sir A. MONDPermission was granted for football to be played on the ground in question on one day a week only, provided that no serious damage was caused to the grass. As, however, some damage has occurred, the whole question will be reconsidered. It is hoped that the growth will be sufficiently strong to enable the fence to be removed early next summer, which will be approximately one year after it was erected.