§ 22. Sir WALTER de FRECEasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware that various trades are dissatisfied with the allocation of exhibits of their types of manufactures to the Birmingham section of the British Industries Fair; and whether he is investigating their representations with a view to meeting them?
Mr. SAMUELI am not aware that any trades are dissatisfied for the reasons indicated by my hon. Friend. In two cases transfers from one section of the Fair to the other have recently been arranged at the request of the exhibitors concerned. I have received no further request for such transfers, but I will be very glad to give consideration to any case which my hon. Friend may desire to bring to my notice.
§ Mr. SOMERVILLECan the hon. Gentleman give us any information as to the exhibit of saddlery?
Mr. SAMUELI am glad of this opportunity to say that we shall welcome exhibits of saddlery at the British Industries Fair at the White City, and if the hon. Member will use his influence and get firms to send in saddlery goods, I will make it my business to see that they are properly shown.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIf it is laid down rigidly that Birmingham is to be the only provincial centre for this fair, will not other centres naturally be dissatisfied?
Mr. SAMUELI do not agree with the hon. and gallant Member's premises. It is not laid down for all time that Birmingham is to be the only exhibiting centre. Any city can hold an exhibition if it likes to do so.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYThat is an announcement of great moment and will be received with great satisfaction.
§ Mr. KELLYMay I ask if the allocation is made by the officers of the Department, or is there a committee of exhibitors who have some voice in the matter?
Mr. SAMUELThere is a committee of exhibitors, and we do the best we can to work hand in hand with them.
§ Colonel DAYHas any allocation been made for an exhibit of British typewriters in either of these fairs?
Mr. SAMUELMost certainly. There was last year a big exhibit of British typewriters in the London fair, and the hon. Member should have known that a great deal of trade resulted from it.