HC Deb 13 November 1950 vol 480 cc1376-7
52. Mr. Charles Ian Orr-Ewing

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will consider arranging the opening ceremony of the Festival of Britain on a Saturday, in place of Thursday, 3rd May, so that more people may attend and so that the world broadcasts are more widely heard.

Mr. H. Morrison

The arrangements for the opening ceremony of the Festival of Britain and all the other arrangements which are contingent on it are now so advanced that any alterations in the date would be most inadvisable.

Mr. Orr-Ewing

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, in view of the need for maximum productivity in this country, and for the widest world publicity, the desirability of having functions of this nature on a Saturday?

Mr. Morrison

I appreciate the point, but there are arguments the other way. If the official opening had been on a Saturday, a good many people would not have been able to go—at any rate, until late. Moreover, if we open the Festival on the Thursday, we shall be more ready for the Saturday rush.

Sir H. Williams

In view of the historical interest, would it not be better to open the Festival on the Greek Kalends?