asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will re-open Albert Gate to vehicular traffic, in view of the fact that since its closing there has been a great congestion of traffic at Hyde Park Corner, particularly between 6 p.m. and 7.30 p.m., owing to all vehicles which formerly went via Albert Gate to and from Sloane Street and the whole Chelsea district now having to go by Hyde Park Corner?

The Albert Gate has been closed for a trial period of three months, at the end of which a review of the position will be made in the light of the experience gained during that time.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that at the present moment the experiment is not effective, but only adds to the congestion at Hyde Park Corner?

All the evidence that I can get is in the opposite sense. Since the closing of Albert Gate the traffic blocks that used to occur in Knightsbridge by Albert Gate have been sensibly diminished, and the flow of traffic there has been immensely aided.