HC Deb 20 February 1958 vol 582 cc1376-7
19. Mr. Sydney Irving

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received the report of the Exhibitions Advisory Committee on its review of the present practice and policy on overseas trade fairs; and what changes he proposes to make.

Sir D. Eccles

The Committee submitted a report in July of last year and I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a summary of its conclusions. I have accepted them in principle and propose to act on them as the occasion arises, within the limits of the money available. I hope to receive further advice from the Committee from time to time.

Mr. Irving

In view of the hash that we are making of the Brussels exhibits, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the time has come for him to do something? Is he aware of the highly unfavourable criticism of our exhibits in the Press and elsewhere; that because of a lack of information our three oast-houses have been described as the three monkeys—see nothing, hear nothing and say nothing—that the concentration has been upon pomp and pageantry; that there is nothing about practical achievements, and that Zeta is hardly mentioned? Is he prepared to do something about this?

Sir D. Eccles

The hon. Member has taken much more trouble over his supplementary question than he has over helping British exports.

Following is the summary:

PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS OF BOARD OF TRADE EXHIBITIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

  1. 1. Information about Fairs
    1. (a) The Board of Trade should continue to provide information about trade fairs.
    2. 2. Official Stands and Displays
    3. (b) In overseas fairs where official Government stands are installed it is not sufficient for the United Kingdom to provide mere inquiry desks and a stand with display is essential.
    4. (c) Such displays should normally be concentrated on a single industry or group of industries, and approaches should be made to Trade Associations in some of the capital goods industries for their co-operation in organising them.
    5. (d) The number of these stands in any year should be limited and the fairs chosen for them should vary from year to year.
    6. (e) The main cost of these stands must be borne by the Board of Trade, but firms or industries whose goods are shown on them should be expected to lend exhibits free of charge and normally to pay for transport and for expert staff where their attendance is necessary.
    7. 3. Specialised Fairs
    8. (f) If the results of joint participation of industry and Government in specialised fairs are found to be successful, this joint participation should be increased.
    9. 4. National Pavilions
    10. (g) In fairs organised on the basis of national pavilions the United Kingdom will be outclassed and British manufacturers may be virtually deprived of the opportunity of showing their goods unless a contribution is made from public funds to the cost of organising a pavilion.
    11. (h) Where such pavilions are necessary the responsibility for constructing and managing them should normally rest with the Board of Trade, who should let out the space at a rent as high as is consistent with the primary purpose of filling the pavilion with a representative show of British goods, even if this is insufficient to cover all costs. There may be occasions, however, when the management of pavilions can conveniently be entrused to a commercial concern for a fee. We do not consider it desirable in present circumstances to set up any joint body representing industry and the Government for this purpose.
    12. 5. Level of Government Expenditure
    13. (i) The United Kingdom is not spending as much as its main competitors on official participation in overseas fairs. Expenditure on United Kingdom official participation in such fairs should be reviewed now and should remain under constant review, consideration being given to any upward adjustment necessary in respect of 1958–59 and later years.