§ 35. Mr. KELLYasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what are the circumstances that have necessitated the price of 3s. 6d. per square foot being charged to exhibitors taking space at the White City for next year's exhibition, having regard to the fact that at the 1929 exhibition the charge to exhibitors was only 2s. 9d. per square foot?
§ Mr. GILLETTThe charge for space to exhibitors at the British Industries Fair was increased from 2s. 9d. to 3s. to meet the increased expenditure resulting from the transference of the Fair from the White City to Olympia. As regards the further increase from 3s. to 3s. 6d. per square foot, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Perkins) on the 1st July.
§ Mr. KELLYDid these private individuals, who have been allowed to conduct this exhibition rather than the Department, receive the approval of the Department before they increased the charges to the exihibitors?
§ Mr. GILLETTThe charge is entirely a matter for my Department. As a 1934 matter of fact the charge was increased on the recommendation of the committee representing the interests of the exhibitors.
§ Mr. HANNONIs this space not very well worth 3s. 6d. per square foot?
§ Mr. GILLETTI hope it will be, when we know the results.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKIs not the increase of the charge the obvious result of the exhibition being run by a Government Department?
§ Mr. GILLETTThe complaint of the textile section is that it is not being, run by the Department.