HC Deb 17 June 1948 vol 452 cc631-2
19. Mrs. Middleton

asked the President of the Board of Trade why Plymouth has not been included in the list of towns in which Princess Elizabeth's wedding dress is to be exhibited.

Mr. H. Wilson

The object of the tour is to give satisfaction and encouragement to textile workers by letting them see this unique example of British craftsmanship. The tour will therefore be confined to towns forming the most convenient centres for the industry.

Mrs. Middleton

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Bristol is no more a textile producing area than is Plymouth, and that women of the West Country ought to have an opportunity equal with that of other women throughout the country of seeing this dress, which is the dress of a decade if not the dress of a generation? May I ask whether he will look at this matter again?

Mr. Wilson

I recognise that Bristol is not a textile centre but it was chosen as convenient, as being midway between the Stroud valley and South Devon, both of which are textile areas.

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