§ 61. Mr. R. DAVIESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether it is contemplated, or has been decided, to hand over the exhibition buildings at Rio to the Brazilian Government; what amount was granted by the British Government towards such buildings; and what are the reasons for now handing the buildings to the Brazilian Government?
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. His Majesty's Government contributed last year £35,000 towards British participation in the Rio International Exhibition against £26,000 contributed by financial and commercial firms and companies having interests in Brazil. The greater part of these amounts was required for the construction and decoration of the British pavilion. As regards the last part of the question, the committee presided over by my hon. Friend the Member for the Aylosbury Division which organised the contribution referred to above suggested to His Majesty's Government, on behalf of the firms concerned, that at the close of the exhibition the pavilion should be handed over to the Brazilian Government as a permanent memorial of the centenary of the Brazilian 1674 Republic, and His Majesty's Government had no hesitation in agreeing to the proposal.
§ Mr. DAVIESDoes not the hon. Gentleman think that this £30,000 would be better spent in building houses for our own people?