§ 46. Sir John Mellorasked the Lord Privy Seal what losses of property from the Festival of Britain South Bank Exhibition and Pleasure Gardens have been reported to him; and what action has been taken.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI have been asked to reply. Losses at both places are reported to the police in the normal way. In the case of the South Bank Exhibition, these losses are trivial. In the case of the Pleasure Gardens, more serious allegations have been made but, so far, have not been substantiated. The position is, however, still under review.
§ Mr. Kenneth ThompsonHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been directed to a report which appeared in the "Empire News" last Sunday, which contained the remarkable statement that considerable losses have been accepted, so that the Exhibition would be completed in time? Would the right hon. Gentleman say if that is so or not?
§ Mr. MorrisonI am a great friend of the newspapers. I find that one of their most attractive features is that all sorts of exciting statements appear in them, but I would not like to get into an argument with them as to whether they are true or not.