§ 44. Sir W. Darlingasked the Lord President of the Council why the sale of magazines is forbidden on the Festival site, with the exception of the magazine published by the Council of Industrial Design, entitled "Design."
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI assume the Question refers to the South Bank Exhibition. The hon. Member has been misinformed. Magazines—and books and newspapers—will be on sale at the three bookstalls in this exhibition.
§ Sir W. DarlingWill the right hon. Gentleman agree with me that this change of decision has taken place since this Question was put down?
§ Mr. MorrisonI have great respect for the hon. Member, but even I would not attach all that importance to his putting down a Question.
46. Brigadier Clarkeasked the Lord President of the Council if he will now consider postponing the Festival of Britain in view of the international situation.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe international situation calls for a mood of seriousness and responsibility combined with confidence and pride in our national heritage. I am sure the House will agree that it would be a heavy discouragement to all who believe in the British way of life and encouragement to those who wish us harm if we were to abandon the Festival when preparations for it are successfully reaching completion. Postponement at this late stage would not be a practicable possibility. What is needed is that we should show confidence in our own country, which is going to make this Festival into something which will inspire the whole free world as well as our own people.
Brigadier ClarkeDoes not the Lord President appreciate that a large number of people in this country feel that this is not the time, when our men are being killed in Korea, for a Festival, and will he appreciate the situation as it now exists and not as it was when he thought of the Festival?