HC Deb 19 January 1949 vol 460 cc157-8
44. Sir Ralph Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement regarding the impending Colonial Exhibition; and what body has been charged with the preparation of this undertaking.

Mr. Creech Jones

As part of a campaign to increase public knowledge of the Colonies, arrangements are being made for a Colonial Exhibition to be staged on behalf of the Colonial Office by the Central Office of Information at their Exhibition Hall, Oxford Street, for six weeks from the third week of June next. The Exhibition will present a general picture of the Colonies and is designed particularly to show the relationship between Great Britain and the Colonies.

Sir R. Glyn

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether special steps are to be taken to bring the Colonial Governments themselves into this Exhibition, or is it to be entirely organised by the Colonial Office here?

Mr. Creech Jones

There will be the closest consultation with Colonial Governments and I might say that if hon. Members have any suggestions that they would like to sec embodied in the Exhibition I should be very happy to receive them.

Mr. H. D. Hughes

Will my right hon. Friend arrange for this Exhibition to tour the main provincial centres after its period in London?

Mr. Creech Jones

That presents some difficulty. The point will be considered.

Mr. W. Fletcher

Will the right hon. Gentleman make certain that a small space is reserved to show the progress of the groundnut scheme?

Wing-Commander Hulbert

Will the Minister consider finding a more suitable and attractive building for this Exhibition? He may be aware that one of the reasons why the recruiting campaign failed was because his right hon. Friend held his exhibition in this appalling place?

Mr. Creech Jones

That point is under consideration at the moment. We are anxious to get a very much bigger site.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

While there may be difficulty in sending this Exhibition to the provinces, will there be any difficulty in sending it to the capital of Scotland?

Mr. Creech Jones

That will be considered.