HC Deb 04 December 1906 vol 166 cc751-2
MR. WEDGWOOD

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction that exists among the British exhibitors at the Milan Exhibition, especially in the section devoted to applied arts, owing to the bad organisation and arrangements of the British exhibits; will he say who is responsible for this organisation and for the status of the firms exhibiting; what his qualifications were; and whether he proposes to consider how the British Department of international exhibitions may be better organised in future.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE, Carnarvon Boroughs)

The British section of the Milan Exhibition was organised by an unofficial Commission composed of a number of representative men chiefly drawn from British chambers of commerce and other bodies directly concerned with trade and industry. I understand that this body was formed mainly under the auspices of the London Chamber of Commerce. I am informed that no complaints of the character indicated in the Question have reached the Commission. As regards the last part of the Question, I may remind my hon. friend that a departmental committee is sitting to consider the questions affecting the participation of this country in international exhibitions.

MR. WEDGWOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the London Chamber of Commerce is not exactly the best Chamber to go to in connection with matters relating to manufactures, and fine arts especially?

[No answer was given.]