§ Mr. Tinkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he will have a survey of the Royal parks to see whether some parts of them could be used for growing foodstuffs; and, in particular, whether the stretch of ground known as Rotten Row, in Hyde Park, could be utilised for this purpose?
§ Mr. MabaneActive consideration has already been given, in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, to the utilisation of the Royal parks for growing foodstuffs. Much of the parkland soil is unsuitable for the growing of crops and a considerable area has had to be devoted to defence and other military purposes; but about 63 acres are devoted to allotments, 80 acres to the cultivation of oat and root crops, and consideration is being given to the use of a further 120 acres for the latter purpose. In addition, two-thirds of the greenhouse space normally used for the production of flowers is being used for the cultivation of vegetables. In answer to the second half of the Question, Rotten Row consists of sand up to a depth of six inches on a brick floor about a foot thick and, further, for a great part of its length it is lined by tall trees.