asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning, how far responsibility lies with him for initiating negotiations for the future of the gardens and open places in cities and towns, and especially in London, from which the railings have been removed?

The general responsibility for formulating proposals in regard to open spaces, whether railings have been removed from them or not, rests with the planning authorities concerned, and, when the Bill now before Parliament becomes law, all areas will be the subject of schemes under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1932, which are submitted to me for approval. I would also refer. my hon. and gallant Friend to the provisions of the London Squares Preservation Act, 1931. In the case of the Royal Parks the responsibility lies with my noble Friend the Minister of Works.

Has my right hon. Friend, his Department or the Government any general policy of preservation of parks, squares and private property respectively?

There is a policy to preserve these squares as far as possible.