HL Deb 28 January 1999 vol 596 cc172-3WA
Lord Blaker

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the final proposals of the Princess Diana Memorial Committee regarding Kensington Gardens, London; and whether these proposals will be published. [HL621]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Committee met on 11 November to consider progress on the four proposals set out in its preliminary advice to HM Government, published on 24 June. Following that meeting, the Treasury issued a press release summarising progress and copies are available in the Library. In relation specifically to the proposals for Kensington Gardens, the memorial committee proposed, having listened to the views of local people on the early, outline proposals for Kensington Gardens, that a memorial walk should be established through Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, the Green Park and St. James's Park; that there should be improvements to the children's playground to the north of Kensington Palace to create an area dedicated to the Princess where disabled and able-bodied children could play and which might be used as a blueprint for children's play facilities around the country; and that necessary repair work in the Dial Walk area south of Kensington Palace should be implemented. The Royal Parks Agency has been asked to take these proposals forward, in close consultation with the local authorities and local residents' groups.