HC Deb 12 March 1923 vol 161 cc1025-6
40. Mr. DARBISHIRE

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will state the opening and closing dates of the British Empire Exhibition; how it is intended to provide for the cost in excess of the sum guaranteed; and if he will give the figures of the estimated receipts and expenditure from the opening date of the exhibition which have been prepared?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Viscount Wotmer)

The exhibition will open in April, 1924, and close about the end of October in that year. It is intended that the whole of the cost should be met out of the receipts. As regards the last part of the question, the Estimates con- cerned are necessarily provisional, and I do not think it is desirable to make them public at present.

Mr. DARBISHIRE

Can we be assured that there will be no further calls upon the national finances in connection with this exhibition?

Viscount WOLMER

I can hardly add to my reply.