HC Deb 07 February 1949 vol 461 cc30-1
48. Sir William Darling

asked the Lord President of the Council if estimates have yet been prepared for the Festival of Britain, 1951.

The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

The Estimates 1949–50, which will shortly be published, include provision for expenditure on the Festival of Britain, 1951. It will be appreciated that at this stage it is impossible for any very accurate estimate to be drawn up, and it is not yet possible to give any useful estimate of the total expenditure likely to be incurred on the Festival.

Sir W. Darling

I take it we may assume that although the Festival of Britain will in the main be located in the capital of this country, it will be closely associated with similar festivities throughout the United Kingdom which are also to be part of the Festival of Britain?

Mr. Morrison

I thought that the hon. Member would have been aware that we have actually appointed a Scottish Committee and a Welsh one.

Mr. Stanley

On whose Vote will this expenditure be borne?

Mr. Morrison

It will be a separate Vote in association with the C.O.I. Vote, but it will be a distinct and identifiable Vote, although, as will be appreciated that there are certain organisations like the Arts Council of Britain and others which will incur part of the expenditure, which will not be entirely easy to consolidate.

Mr. Stanley

Which Minister will answer for this Vote?

Mr. Morrison

I shall.

Miss Bacon

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that London, Wales and Scotland are not the only important places in Great Britain?

Mr. Morrison

I can assure my hon. Friend that one of the last things I should do would be to forget Yorkshire.