§ 7. Mr. Nabarroasked the President of the Board of Trade, having regard to the inadequacy and relative obsolescence of major trade exhibition sites in London, and to the need for further expansion of export trade for British manufactured goods, what action he proposes to take in connection with the report sent to him on this subject by the Federation of British Industries, urging immediate steps, and a £10 million exhibition centre in London; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaudlingI am glad to have this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the Federation of British Industries' report. I am considering the proposals, but it is too early to express a considered view on them.
§ Mr. NabarroWould my hon. Friend bear in mind that our present West European industrial competitors, notably the West Germans, have already installed during the post-war years exhibition sites fully equipped which are very much more spacious and generally superior to anything available in London? Would he, therefore, show some urgency in considering the report and have it debated in this House?
§ Mr. MaudlingI am aware also that there are considerably divergent views on the question of trade fairs, but I shall certainly bear in mind what my hon. Friend has said.