HC Deb 08 December 1925 vol 189 cc225-6
14. Mr. BOWERMAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade if it is intended that next year's British Industries Fair, which hitherto has been purely an exhibition of goods, is to be converted into a trading concern by permitting exhibiting manufacturers to Hell their goods to private buyers?

2. Sir FRANK MEYER

asked the President of the Board of Trade why it is proposed, at the British Industries Fair of 1926 to permit exhibiting manufacturers to sell their goods direct to private buyers; and what is the reason for this innovation?

8. Mr. CADOGAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, at the forthcoming British Industries Fair, exhibiting manufacturers will be permitted to sell their goods direct to the private buyer; and whether he is aware of the strong feeling among retailers against the proposal?

Mr. A. M. SAMUEL

(Secretary, Overseas Trade Department): I am in consultation with the interests concerned, and am at present unable to add anything to the answer which I gave yesterday to a similar question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Lieut.-Colonel Moore). I am sending a, copy of that answer to the lion. Members.

Colonel GRETTON

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the British Industries Fair is to be a temporary or a permanent institution?

Mr. SAMUEL

It depends on the success it meets with on the present occasion. We hope to make it a great success, and then we shall reconsider the whole matter.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Is it intended to subsidise it continually to the unnecessary extent of £25,000 a year?

Mr. SAMUEL

I cannot agree with my hon. Friend that it is unnecessary expenditure. It is necessary to carry on the Fair, and if, by giving £20,000 or £25,000, we can make a success of it, I think it will be thoroughly justified.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

Has it been considered whether some of these exhibitions might be held at a place which belongs to the public, namely, the Crystal Palace, and could any assistance be given with regard to that?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is another question.