HC Deb 30 April 1964 vol 694 cc567-8
9. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development, in view of the continuing housing and financial problems of the Crafts Centre, if he has completed the reconsideration he was giving to the renewal of a Government grant.

Mr. du Cann

The grant to the Crafts Centre from the Board of Trade's Vote for the promotion of industrial efficiency and like purposes was terminated last year. I see no grounds for renewing it, but am following with interest new plans to foster the crafts which have recently been put forward.

Dame Irene Ward

Is my hon. Friend aware how much anybody interested in the Crafts Centre deprecates the meanness of Her Majesty's Government in this matter? I wanted to ask my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State—but he, of course, dodged answering my Question—whether he still adheres to the view which he at one time held that his Department was being rather mean over this, or whether he has got over that feeling? We thought we had a change at the Board of Trade on this very important matter.

Mr. du Cann

As my hon. Friend will know, the grants to the Crafts Centre were on the basis that they would increase the contribution to industrial design. They were terminated because they were not having that effect, but my right hon. Friend and I regard the present developments as both interesting and hopeful.