§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Board of Trade has set up a Department to deal with International Exhibitions, with an honorary director for art sections, British art; whether he will give the names of the members of the new Department and of the director; and whether he proposes to appoint an Irish director for the supervision of Irish art.
§ MR. CHURCHILLIn reply to my hon. friend, I beg to state that the Board of 1091 Trade have established a new branch of their Commercial Department to deal with matters arising out of the possible participation of Great Britain and Ireland in future international exhibitions. Mr. U. F. Wintour has been appointed officer in charge of the Exhibition Branch, Sir Isidore Spielmann, C.M.G., has also been appointed Honorary Director for British (including Irish) Art at International Exhibitions. When the necessary arrangements are being made for particular exhibitions care will be taken that the interests of Irish art and industry shall intimately be studied, but I am not advised that the appointment of a permanent officer is necessary.