BRITISH INDUSTRIES FAIR. (Hansard, 5 March 1931)

§ 76. Mr. BOYCE
asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the fact that February is not a convenient month for Dominion and Colonial buyers and many foreign buyers to attend the British Industries Fair, the Government will consider holding the fair during the month of May or some other more suitable month in future?

§ Mr. W. R. SMITH
The question of the date of the fair was considered by the Chelmsford Committee, who after carefuly weighing the evidence submitted recommended that the present date of the fair—immediately preceding the Leipsig Fair—should be adhered to.

§ Mr. BOYCE
Will the Government take this into further consideration and have regard to the fact that the principals of overseas buying houses are not attracted to this country in February, but later in the year, and will they show consideration for the comfort and convenience of their customers?

§ Mr. SMITH
I can only assume that that fact was taken into consideration by the committee.

§ 77. Mr. BOYCE
asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware that 20 visits of representatives of a London newspaper to the British Industries Fair were recorded by the turnstiles as 21 overseas buyers; and whether the Government will take steps to prevent misrepresentations and mistakes of this kind in future?

§ Mr. SMITH
My hon. Friend has made inquiries with reference to the occurrence referred to by the hon. Member, and finds that the representative of a journal which circulates overseas did not exchange the invitation card which that journal had received for a season ticket at the special press office and was, in view of the name of the paper, passed through the turnstiles at the various sections and entrances to the fair. It should be pointed out, however, that the final record of overseas buyers attending the fair will not have been affected as this is based on the actual cards presented and not on the turnstile readings.

§ Mr. BOYCE
In the event of an overseas buyer going first to the Olympia section, then to the White City, and then to the Albert Hall, would he be shown as three overseas buyers or only one?