HC Deb 17 October 1950 vol 478 cc1877-80
50. Mr. Deedes

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he is aware that the Festival of Britain authorities have put in a demand for 1,563 tons of art paper for their various publications; and whether, in view of the repercussions on the publishing trade, he will review this demand and the high priority which has been asked for.

The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

While it is true that the Festival of Britain's original request was as stated, I am glad to say that by using a substitute type of paper for certain purposes it has since been possible to reduce the demand by 390 tons, or by 25 per cent. I hope that this reduction will help to relieve the difficulties to which the hon. Member refers. The House will appreciate how important it is that guides and catalogues to the Festival exhibitions should be available to all visitors who want them and that they should be a credit to this country.

Mr. Deedes

I appreciate the latter part of the reply, but is the Lord President aware that most publishers are waiting up to 32 weeks for this particular kind of paper, which is causing great dislocation in the industry, and will he keep an eye on the quantity of paper and if necessary reduce the amount of paper used by the exhibition authorities?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir.

51. Mr. Dodds

asked the Lord President of the Council if he is aware of the wide spread concern at the prices which are to be charged for admission to the Festival of Britain; and if he will arrange facilities for parties of schoolchildren to visit the exhibition in the mornings at less than 1s. a head.

Mr. H. Morrison

I assume the Question refers to the prices of admission to the South Bank Exhibition. I should hope that there will be no widespread concern about them and I can assure my hon. Friend that visitors will get excellent value for their money. Special arrangements will be made for parties of schoolchildren which will be announced later; but I cannot undertake that the price per head will be as low as the one my hon. Friend has in mind.

Mr. Dodds

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that, because of these prices, many families will be prevented from going to the exhibition, and if the prices are fixed to restrict would-be visitors because of the limited space, will my right hon. Friend give some thought to extending the life of the exhibition, even to 1952 or 1953, so that all married people may get in at reduced prices?

Mr. Eric Fletcher

Does not my right hon. Friend think that the ordinary prices being charged are very moderate, having regard to the very wide nature of the exhibits and the high value of the exhibition?

Mr. Morrison

In comparison with other charges of admission, I do not think that the prices are out of proportion, and the number of exhibits for which there is no additional charge is considerable. I think that it is good value for money. If I may say so, the House of Commons, for which I have the deepest affection and regard, cannot have it both ways. I have been pressed by the House to keep the deficit on the exhibition within reasonable limits, and it would be a pity if in other quarters there were now pressure to increase the deficit.

Sir H. Williams

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell me what we are going to see when we get inside? Last time I asked that question, the right hon. Gentleman said that the question was irresponsible. I am still trying to find out what class of exhibits there will be.

Mr. Morrison

If I am feeling in a good temper and I can stand it, I will pay for the admission of the hon. Gentleman and take him round myself; and I hope that we get out safely.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that if certain circumstances make it possible or desirable, the admission charges will be reduced, and that there is no finality about the charges?

Mr. Morrison

As I have often told the House, we will watch things as we go, and our mind will be open as experience is gained. I might add that on the first two days of the 1851 Exhibition, the charge was £1. I understand that, according to the Opposition, the value of the £ was somewhat more then than it is today.

52. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will re consider the decision that children under five will not be admitted to the South Bank science, architecture and books exhibitions at the Festival of Britain.

Mr. H. Morrison

I think it is a prudent decision not to admit children under five to these exhibitions. It will be reviewed after the first few weeks when experience has been gained.

Sir W. Smithers

May I ask the Lord President if his decision includes children unaccompanied or accompanied by adults, and what right he has to interfere with the liberty of the subject in this way? Will he remember that we are not in Moscow?

Mr. Morrison

I understand that it includes both categories of children, and the motive is public safety. As I have said, we will see how things go along. I am not unsympathetic to the hon. Gentleman's point of view, but we must consider the element of public safety in this matter.

Mr. Percy Wells

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider lifting the ban in the case of the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers)?

53. Mr. Gerald Williams

asked the Lord President of the Council when he expects to be able to announce the result of the consultations between the Festival of Britain Office and the Railway Executive regarding train services in connection with the Festival.

Mr. H. Morrison

The Festival of Britain Office have explained to the Railway Executive the likely additional demands for railway service during the Festival of Britain. The Railway Executive are now making detailed arrangements which they will make known in due course.

Mr. Williams

Does not the Lord President realise that "in due course" is no use at all because towns in the suburbs and counties surrounding London are trying to make their arrangements with the foreign travel agencies and to tell them what facilities they have for getting people to London?

Mr. Morrison

I will keep that point in mind, but I still think that "in due course" is the right formula.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what arrangements, if any, are being made to run excursion trains from long-distant places like the north of Scotland?

Mr. Leslie Hale

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that many clubs have to organise these excursions on the basis of weekly collected subscriptions, and that "in due course" is not quite good enough. They would like to know at the earliest possible moment what the rates are likely to be and what the facilities are likely to be, so that they can start planning these excursions?

Mr. Morrison

I will note the point and see what can be done.

Mr. C. S. Taylor

Is the Lord President aware that a number of towns outside London wish to act as dormitory towns during the Festival period, and "in due course" is not sufficient to enable them to make arrangements?

Mr. Morrison

I will keep that in mind. I have received representations to that effect during my recent visit to Margate.