§ 33. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if there is any intention to purchase permanent show grounds for the British Industries Fair?
Mr. SAMUELThe possibility of permanent accommodation being provided for the British Industries Fair has been raised from time to time by exhibitors, but my hon. Friend will appreciate that, in view of the expense which would be involved, apart from any other considerations, the question can hardly be taken up at the moment.
Mr. H ANNONWill some steps be taken to ensure the continuation of this very successful event every year?
§ 34. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how the present British Industries Fair compares with the last one held in regard to visits of buyers and business effected; and whether the exhibitors have expressed their satisfaction with the results which have accrued?
Mr. SAMUELA meeting of the advisory committee of exhibitors, held 1014 on the 23rd February at the White City, unanimously expressed the opinion that the fair had been a success, and urged that it should be continued permanently. It is impossible to give any estimate of business done, but my information is that, both in the volume of actual business at the London and Birmingham sections and in the setting up of connections for future business, the fair is the most successful which has been held since the War. Cards of invitation were presented at the London Fair by 1,242 overseas buyers and 55,693 home buyers, some of the latter being agents of overseas firms, as compared with 1,031 and 24,195, respectively, in 1924.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs it proposed to extend this very successful fair, in future years', to any other cities beside the Metropolis and Birmingham?
Mr. SAMUELThere was an examination into that question some years ago, in one of the after-War Reports. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of that Report.
§ Mr. HANNONCould my hon. Friend say, if a question were put down a week hence, what has been the result, from the buying point of view, of these two fairs?
Mr. SAMUELNo, Sir; it would be obviously impossible to say how much business has been done. We could not go round and ask everyone what he had sold and what orders he had booked.
§ Mr. WILLIAMS:Am I correct in assuming that the additional expenditure of £20,000 in overseas advertising has resulted in about 200 extra foreign visitors?
Mr. SAMUELI do not think I can reduce it to, that basis, but I should say that the £20,000 which has been spent in advertising will be repaid to the nation a great many times over.