§ 12. Sir ARCHIBALD WILLIAMSONasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government have decided not to give official support to the San Francisco Exhibition in celebration of the opening of the Panama Canal; whether their decision has any connection with the attitude of the United States. Government regarding the Panama toll question; and whether His Majesty's Government will assist British exhibitors desiring to take part in the exhibition?
§ Sir E. GREYHis Majesty's Government have come to the conclusion that they would not in present circumstances be justified in asking the country to incur the heavy expenditure required to participate in this exhibition. This decision was based partly on the estimate of the cost of a representative commercial exhibit at the San Francisco Exhibition. This is estimated at a quarter of a million. at least, and such a sum would be quite out of proportion to any commercial advantages which are likely to result Moreover, inquiries which have been made among commercial centres in the United Kingdom have not shown any active desire to participate in the exhibition. The conditions of foreign participation laid down by the authorities prescribe that the exhibits are to be distributed among a series of international pavilions, thereby rendering it impossible to obtain an effective national display as in previous exhibitions. The question was considered and dealt with on these grounds without any reference to the Panama tolls question. Indeed, I may add that His Majesty's Government have done nothing to discourage the participation of the self-governing Dominions in the exhibition. As regards the last part of the question, I will communicate with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONCan the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether Germany and other countries are taking part officially in this exhibition?
§ Sir E. GREYI have not heard that Germany is taking part in this exhibition. Perhaps my hon. Friend will give me notice, and I will ascertain what information we have.
§ Mr. JOHN O'CONNORI desire to know how the estimate of £250,000 has been arrived at as the probable cost of our exhibiting at San Francisco. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the expense of the British section at the Chicago Exhibition in 1893 was only £60,000; that the expense of the Japanese was £120,00, of Germany only £120,000, and of the French £120,000? How is it possible that the cost of the Commission to carry out the British section at San Francisco could be £250,000?
§ Sir E. GREYThe hon. Member will see, when he reads my answer, that in one paragraph of it I say that the conditions in regard to this exhibition are not the same altogether as in regard to previous exhibitions. The estimates were arrived at, I understand, by inquiries on the spot.
§ Mr. J. O'CONNORWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of placing the whole matter in the hands of some existing council or committee, such as the council of the Society of Arts?
§ Sir E. GREYI do not see that in a great commercial matter of this kind the council of the Society of Arts could be referred to. The matter has been very carefully investigated by the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. MORTONMay I ask my right hon. Friend, as the Government do not seem inclined to take part in this exhibition, will there be any objection to the British section being carried out by private individuals, as was done in the case of the French Exhibition in 1889? There was a refusal then on the part of the Government, and it was undertaken by the City of London, and it very much pleased the French people.
§ Sir E. GREYI have already said that we have done nothing to discourage the official participation of the self-governing Dominions, and we should not think of doing so in the case of participation by private individuals.