§ 60. Mr. MITCHESONasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in order to give members of the public who are at work all day an opportunity to visit the British Industries Fair and view the special display of Empire produce, he will make arrangements for the fair to be open to the public later than the present closing hour of 7.30?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI will see that my hon. Friend's suggestion is carefully considered in connection with the arrangements for next year's fair. The existing closing hour was settled after careful deliberation in consultation with the exhibitors' advisory committee, and the decision was in accordance with the views of the majority. Exhibitors have signed contracts on the basis of existing hours of closing, and I am afraid in all the circumstances that it would be impracticable to make a change which would involve extra expense now that the fair is running.