asked the Secretary of State for the Environment, further to the reply, Official Report, 29 November, c. 45, concerning the closure of the Victoria Gate, Hyde Park, why it was decided to undertake repairs of the Alexandra Gate at that time of the year; and when those repairs will be concluded.

Urgent repairs were required to the quadrants on which the gates operate to avoid danger to the policemen opening and closing them and to prevent damage to the gates. Weather permitting, the necessary work will be completed during the weekend of 4–5 December.