HC Deb 30 April 1923 vol 163 cc951-2
26. Sir HARRY BRITTAIN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total outlay contemplated by the Governments of the Dominions, India, and the Colonies on participation in the British Empire Exhibition?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

It is not yet possible for me to give figures with any degree of accuracy, since the extent of the expenditure of each unit depends upon circumstances. So far as my information goes, the Dominions expect to spend a total of some £600,000, and the Colonies and Protectorates at least £250,000, but the exact amounts are quite uncertain. In some cases private subscriptions are being raised to supplement Government grants. I have no information as regards India.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

Is not practically every part of the British Empire now participating in this great exhibiton?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I think that there are only a few small portions of the Empire, such as Ascension, which are nut going to participate.

Mr. W. THORNE

Has the hon. Gentleman read this morning what happened on Saturday in the exhibition ground?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

That has nothing to do with me.

60. Mr. BECKER

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, seeing the great advertising value of a high tower built at Wembley in connection with the British Empire Exhibition, his Department will look sympathetically on such a proposal?

Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEY

On such information as I have been able to obtain at present, I cannot but feel that there are serious objections to the erection of a structure of the kind at Wembley, and I have instructed the representative of my Department on the Management Committee of the British Empire Exhibition to put my views before the committee.

Mr. MOSLEY

Has the hon. Gentleman not arrived at the conclusion that an executive committee which is incapable of managing a football match is also incompetent to build a Tower of Babel?

Mr. BECKER

Would not the advertising value of such a tower overcome other objections such as were made to the Eiffel Tower in Paris?