HC Deb 13 December 1960 vol 632 cc201-2
34. Mr. John MacLeod

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the purposes for which funds are made available to the Scottish Craft Centre.

Mr. N. Macpherson

Since 1953, grants to supplement the Centre's independent income have been made to it as a body which, under the Industrial Organisation and Development Act, 1947, has been promoting activities conducive to the improvement of industrial design.

Mr. MacLeod

While I wholeheartedly support every effort made to develop craftsmanship in Scotland, may I ask whether my hon. Friend is aware that firms which call at this Centre have been refused the names of craftsmen who exhibit there, although these firms may want to help these individuals? Is not this refusal stultifying the very object for which the Centre was set up?

Mr. Macpherson

I do not know whether my hon. Friend is aware of it, but the grant covers only one-sixth of the Centre's income. It has to raise the rest itself by sales and commission. Subject to that, I am sure that the Centre would be willing to co-operate with anyone who is seeking to achieve the same objective as itself, which is to make known and to improve the standards of Scottish craftsmanship.

Mr. MacLeod

As public funds are being used, would my hon. Friend advise the Centre that it should give the names of the individuals concerned?

Mr. Macpherson

I was not aware that it was not doing so in appropriate cases, and I shall be happy to look into the point now that it has been brought to my attention.

Mr. Dugdale

Would the hon. Gentleman tell us how many matters his right hon. Friend is looking at, how many he is considering, how many he is continuously considering, and what is the difference between these various activities?

Mr. Macpherson

My right hon. Friend continuously examines things which are continuously of public interest and is always willing to look at things that are brought to his attention.