§ 3. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the concern arising from the decision to increase the charge of 6d. a person during the mixed bathing season at the Serpentine Lido, Hyde Park, with no charge for children, to 9d. a person on ordinary weekdays and 1s. on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays and the introduction of a charge for children at 3d. per child; and if he will make a statement giving the reasons for this change in policy, the income for 1957, and the estimated income for 1958.
§ Mr. MolsonThe charges have been increased to reduce the cost to public funds of running the Lido. Receipts in 1957 were £3,900, expenditure was £12,800, so the net cost of the Lido was £8,900. In 1958 receipts are estimated at £6,300. In future, therefore, I hope that the average annual cost of the Lido to public funds will not exceed £6,500.