HC Deb 07 March 1927 vol 203 cc828-9
27. Colonel DAY

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the total number of visitors who have visited the British Industries Fair at the White City, and also at Birmingham, to the last convenient date?

33. Mr. LUNN

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how many overseas representatives were reported to have visited the British Industries Fair in London and Birmingham this year; and whether or not satisfactory reports have come to the Department of orders received by exhibitors for the supply of British goods?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Burton Chadwick)

The actual number of buyers who visited the London section of the Fair was 74,462, of whom 1,581 came from overseas. This latter figure takes no account of a considerable number of United Kingdom agents of overseas firms who were buying on foreign account. These figures show an increase of over 25 per cent. on the corresponding figures for last year.

As regards the Birmingham section, I am in correspondence with the authorities, and will communicate further with the hon. Members.

In addition, the general public visited the Fair to the number of about 25,000 in London and 10,000 in Birmingham. No official figures are available as to the business done, but I am happy to be able to report that the exhibitors in all sec- tions of the Fair have expressed themselves as more than satisfied with the actual and anticipated results.

Colonel DAY

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether the Birmingham figures are in excess of the figures of last year?

Sir B. CHADWICK

I cannot say that.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Is it not the case that the cost in advertising is about 4s. for each visitor; and has there been any other exhibition held in this country so costly in relation to attendance?

Sir B. CHADWICK

I must ask for notice of that question.

Sir HARRY BRITTAIN

Has any exhibition in this country ever brought in so much money for British merchants?