§ 49. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Lord President of the Council why the travelling exhibitions connected with the Festival of Britain are scheduled to visit no important centre north of Dundee.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI have already dealt in some detail with the facts which govern the choice of the ports to be visited by the "Campania" in answers given on 19th and 25th April and 1st May. The tour of the land travelling exhibition is limited by the physical difficulties and the high cost of moving an exhibition of this sort over land. It was always essential that the tour should be limited to a compact area, and as a result of the economies imposed earlier this year that area has been made more limited still. A visit to centres north of Dundee is, therefore, completely impracticable.
§ Lord Malcolm Douglas-HamiltonIs the Lord President aware that the pamphlet issued by the Festival of Britain office states that the task of the Festival of Britain is to display the British contribution to civilisation, both to her own people and to the world, and if that is so why should the whole of the north of Scotland be denied that privilege?
§ Mr. MorrisonI always admire an hon. Member who speaks up for his constituency, but the last words of that supplementary question are a great exaggeration.
§ Mr. John MacLeodWill the Minister point out to the Minister of Transport. who is sitting next to him, all the physical difficulties he talks about, and see that they are improved, so that future travelling exhibitions will be able to cover the Highlands?
§ Mr. MorrisonAs my right hon. Friend is sitting next to me, it is hardly necessary for me to point it out to him.
§ Mr. SnaddenThe right hon. Gentleman has referred to a certain constituency. Is he aware that this decision misses out two-thirds of Scotland?
§ Mr. MorrisonI am very sorry about it, but there are physical difficulties. If, however, the House, having impressed upon me not to spend more money than I can help, now insists upon my spending more money, I shall be much obliged if the House will take a clear line upon it.