§ 2. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the President of the Board of Trade how much money has been subscribed by the public towards the expenses of the British Empire Exhibition; how much of this money has been expended; when it is proposed to open the exhibition; what officials have been appointed under the British Empire Exhibition (Guarantee) Act, 1920; what salaries they are receiving; and how much public money has been expended to date?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMENo money has been subscribed by the public towards the cost of the British Empire Exhibition. The financial liability of His Majesty's Government is limited to participation in the guarantee to the extent and under the conditions provided for in the Act. No officials have been appointed under the Guarantee Act, nor has any public money been expended. The exhibition is being organised by private enterprise. It is hoped to open the exhibition in the spring of 1923.
§ Mr. KILEYIf the public have not subscribed any money, and the Government have not subscribed any money, can the hon. Gentleman state who is providing the money?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI did not say that the public were not going to subscribe. I was asked whether any public money had been subscribed. There is a large representative council, and I understand that they are satisfied that the guarantees are likely to be forthcoming. It is only when guarantees amounting to £500,000 are forthcoming that the Government guarantee of £100,000 will come into effect.
§ Mr. KILEYIs it not a fact that the Government or the Board of Trade insisted upon the appointment of an excivil servant at a salary of £5,000 a year, which he is now receiving, and will the Government not be bound at all events to provide that £5,000, or part of it?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMENo, that is not at all the case. The appointment of Mr. Wintour as manager of this exhibition was unanimously decided upon by the council of management, on which the Government have only one representative. It was the unanimous view of the council that no one would be better suited to manage the exhibition than Mr. Wintour, who has had a very wide experience in these matters. In that view of the council the Government concurred.