HC Deb 27 October 1949 vol 468 cc1500-1
23. Mr. Sidney Shephard

asked the President of the Board of Trade why no major textile display is to be arranged for the British Industries Fair for 1950.

Mr. H. Wilson

It is the wish of the textiles industry as a whole to stage a major display at the British Industries Fair on alternate years. The last major display was at the 1949 Fair, and the next will be at the 1951 Fair. Nevertheless, the textiles and clothing section at Earls Court will be one of the largest trade groups at the 1950 Fair, embracing the displays of 150 firms, occupying more than 55,000 square feet.

Mr. Shephard

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this trade is the biggest potential dollar-earner we have; that next year is the vital year, not 1951; and will he do his best to persuade the trade to reverse their previous decision and to make a large-scale display at the 1950 B.I.F.?

Mr. Wilson

Of course I am aware of the dollar-earning importance of this industry. It was only because in, for instance, 1948 that the textiles industry held back at the B.I.F. that we were able to get the highly successful exhibitions of leather and jewellery, which have also played a great part in the export trade.