§ 21. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how much space was let to exhibitors at the recent British Industries Fair at the White City; and what was the amount of rental paid by the exhibitors for this space?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Burton Chadwick)The space let to exhibitors amounted approximately to 176,000 square feet, and the rent paid was £22,000.
§ Colonel DAYCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the principal stands were let out to tender, or just allotted?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI should have to have notice of that question.
§ 22. Mr. WILLIAMSalso asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what sum should be added to the figure given in the estimates for the cost of the British Industries Fair to allow for the value of the services rendered to the fair by the exhibition branch of the Department; what sum should be added for the rent, lighting, and heating of the offices occupied by the staff of the British Industries Far; what amount in respect to the postal, telephone and telegraph charges which were rendered to the fair without charge; and if the clerical staff employed on the work of the British Industries Fair undertook the whole of the filing and correspondence or whether this work was undertaken by the registry of the Department of Overseas Trade?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKA contribution of £3,000 per annum is made from the fair funds to cover both the services of the Exhibitions Division of the Department, and all overhead charges, including those mentioned by my hon. Friend. This amount will be found duly credited to the Vote as an additional receipt under the sub-head for "Appropriations-in-Aid." With regard to the last part of the question, the whole of the filing and correspondence connected with applications from would-be exhibitors is dealt with by special staff engaged for the fair, and paid for out of fair funds, general inquiries only being dealt with in the general registry of the Department.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDoes the £3,000 cover the cost of postage, telegrams and telephone services rendered without charge to the fair?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThat is what I have stated in the answer.
24. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department why it is necessary to employ five intelligence officers in connection with the British Industries Fair when none were required last year; and why eight instead of two clerks will be needed at an increased cost to the taxpayer?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThe five intelligence officers referred to were actually employed last year under the title of technical assistants, and provision for them as such was included in the Estimate for that year. The nett increase in clerical staff is actually three only, and is due to the necessity for making provision for a larger fair in 1928. The whole cost of the staff employed in connection with the fair is recovered from receipts from exhibitors and involves no charge to the taxpayer.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs it not the case that the Estimates show that there will be a charge on the taxpayer?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI am afraid I cannot answer.