HC Deb 30 March 1949 vol 463 cc1199-200
6. Mr. David Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any further statement to make about the Colonies Exhibition to be held in London this summer.

Mr. Rees-Williams

Arrangements for the mounting of the Exhibition by the Central Office of Information are going ahead very satisfactorily. The Exhibition will be called "Focus on Colonial Progress" and I ought, I think, to make it clear that it does not attempt to do more than give the public, by means of carefully chosen examples and striking illustrative material, a broad picture of what we and the peoples of the territories are trying to achieve together, and of the problems which have to be tackled. This will not be the kind of exhibition in which separate sections are devoted to individual territories, products or industries. Limitations of space and finance would preclude anything on these lines, but quite apart from that I think that the approach which we have chosen should be more valuable for the purpose in view. As my right hon. Friend has already announced, a "Colonial Month" is being arranged in London from 21st of June, and the Exhibition will take place against that background. I am glad to report that a very gratifying response has already been forthcoming from the many organisations who are being invited to participate in the "Colonial Month."

Mr. W. R. Williams

Will my hon. Friend keep in touch with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Education to see that children from the schools are enabled to visit this Exhibition and so create some interest in their minds in this new scheme of the Government for the development of the Colonies?

Mr. Rees-Williams

Yes, we are doing that.

Mr. Wilson Harris

Even though separate territories are not to be represented, could the hon. Gentleman consider getting a few natives of different territories to be present to discuss the situation with visitors to the Exhibition?

Mr. Rees-Williams

Yes, Sir.

Mr. John Lewis

Will there be any place in the Exhibition to show the part played in sport by the Colonies?

Mr. Rees-Williams

No, I do not think so.