26 and 27. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Public Building and Works (1) in view of the fact that the new British Embassy in Rome is to cost approximately £1 million, what steps will be taken to ensure that the maximum use is made therein of British timber, ceramics, sanitary fittings, kitchen equipment, furniture and furnishings with a view to obtaining some indirect benefit for British industry from their display in Rome;
(2) to what extent it is his policy to ensure that all new British embassies constructed overseas are designed and furnished and decorated in such a way as to ensure the maximum publicity for British materials; and what instructions are given by him to building contractors concerned with such edifices.
§ Mr. MellishIt is my policy to give the maximum opportunity for the supply of British materials and equipment to British Embassies provided they are competitive in design, price, delivery and maintenance. Designers and contractors are made aware of this policy and every encouragement is given to British suppliers to take advantage of it.
Mr. Gresham CookeWith regard to the embassy in Rome, will the Minister give instructions to Sir Basil Spence to see that it is not only an advertisement for British design but also for British craftsmanship and is not filled with Italian marble and all the rest?
§ Mr. MellishThe cost is £850,000, not £1 million. We had better get that right. We shall ensure that all the furniture and furnishings and as much equipment as possible will be of British origin, and Sir Basil Spence has been told that.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasWill the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that although the kitchen equipment in the embassy in Rome will be British the food which is served will not be?