HC Deb 26 June 1951 vol 489 cc1151-2
1. Mr. Dodds

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will now state what consideration has been given to the continuation of the South Bank Exhibition and the Battersea Park Festival Gardens in 1952; and with what result.

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Stokes)

Yes, Sir. I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in yesterday's debate with regard to the question of continuing the Festival Pleasure Gardens in Battersea Park. With regard to the South Bank Exhibition, I hope to make a statement in the course of the next three weeks, but I shall need strong recommendations in favour of continuing it in 1952 if a decision is to be made to that effect.

Mr. Dodds

While I appreciate the difficulty about making a decision before the figures for the peak month are received, does not my right hon. Friend appreciate that it is of vital importance that a decision should be made as soon as possible if the maximum success is to be obtained in 1952?

Mr. Stokes

Yes, Sir, I am aware of that, but the Festival has been open only a couple of months and there has been too short a period to judge the financial prospects for next year.

Mr. Shurmer

Does my right hon. Friend believe that all the people in the provinces, especially the children, will be able to come to London during the present short period of the Festival?

Mr. Stokes

We have managed to deal with all the crowds so far, and if people would hurry up and come down in their numbers I should be encouraged to continue it next year.

Mr. John Morrison

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider some re-organisation to lessen the distance to the car parks if the Festival is to continue for a longer period?

Mr. Stokes

That is a different question, but I will look into it.

Mr. Henry Brooke

Will the right hon. Gentleman always bear in mind in regard to Battersea Park that the price for keeping the Festival Gardens open longer will have to be paid by the school children who will be deprived of the opportunity of playing cricket and football and by the local people who have enjoyed the use of Battersea Park for rest and recreation?

Mr. Stokes

That seems to be continuing yesterday's debate. It is one of the matters which will have to be taken into consideration when we are coming to a decision as to whether the Gardens should continue next year or not.

Mr. Dodds

I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible.