§ 15. Mr. Sydney Irvingasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider setting up an executive body representative of both Government and industry to finance and deal with the problem of British pavilions at trade fairs organised on a national basis and also with national displays at general trade fairs and other related matters.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe Exhibitions Advisory Committee has been reviewing present practice and policy on overseas trade fairs and its Report is expected shortly.
§ Mr. IrvingWill the Minister bear in mind, when he receives the Report, that all other Western European countries, as well as America and Russia, have such organisations, and that these matters involve questions of national prestige as well as of sales promotion? Will he give the Committee the greatest assistance he possibly can to promote such an organisation?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithYes, Sir, I will certainly bear those important considerations in mind; but, as I am sure the hon. Gentleman knows, the Advisory Committee includes representative members from industry, and I am sure that it is right to await their views.
§ 16. Mr. Sydney Irvingasked the Presiden of the Board of Trade what steps he intends to take to encourage the establishment of an international trade fair in Britain, in view of the possibility of freer 10 trade in Europe and, in consequence, fiercer competition for British goods at home and on the Continent; and in particular what requests he has received for his assistance to enable plans for the development of the Crystal Palace site as an exhibition centre to go forward in the near future.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithRepresentatives of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce have raised this question and they are shortly coming to see my right hon. Friend. No actual requests for assistance in connection with the Crystal Palace site have been received.
§ Mr. IrvingIs the Minister aware that there have been many unfavourable comparisons between the British Industries Fair and the international fairs on the Continent? As we are facing a period of increasing competition, would not it he wise to give our own manufacturers the opportunity to see the strength of competition while we still have the protective tariff, which will disappear when we get the European Common Market?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithYes, I am aware that these comparisons are made. However, as the hon. Gentleman will appreciate, there are many claims on our resources for investment, and I am not satisfied, at any rate so far, that industry attaches such importance to this proposal as to justify its having priority.