§ 10. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange, in conjunction with authorities responsible for the Festival of Britain, a demonstration for overseas visitors of modern equipment for food storage which would include refrigerated storage capacity, road and railway vehicles and containers, and also demonstrate full and small scale models.
Mr. H. WilsonIt is not practicable at the Festival of Britain to stage comprehensive displays of all branches of British industry or of any special industry as indicated in the Question. The British Industries Fair, which runs from 30th April to 11th May, and is open to all overseas visitors, coincides with the opening of the Festival of Britain; and at the Birmingham section there will be a display of domestic refrigerating appliances and equipment. I consider that a special annual trade fair of this kind is one of the best methods of promoting exports since it provides an adequate meeting place for the overseas buyer and the fully qualified representative of the exhibiting firm.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerIs the President aware that there are many visitors, other than professional buyers, who come to the British Industries Fair and who would find value in such a display, in view of the prime importance of the transport and storage of foodstuffs in the world today?
Mr. WilsonIt would not be possible, under the Festival of Britain arrangements, to include representation of all important industries, but I hope that as many of these visitors as possible, whether they are trade buyers or not, will visit the British Industries Fair.
§ Mr. SpeakerHon. Members seem a little surprised, but I have been rather strict today on supplementaries. I "let things rip" yesterday and, with luck, we only just got to Question No. 45. I am hoping that we shall do better today, and that is why I am stirring things up a bit