HC Deb 21 June 1973 vol 858 cc859-60
Q1. Mr. Sydney Chapman

asked the Prime Minister when he next plans to pay an official visit to the site of the National Exhibition Centre.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Edward Heath)

Earlier this year I attended the ceremony to mark the opening of work on the centre but I have no plans at present for a further visit.

Mr. Chapman

I welcome the fact that the work on the site is going according to schedule, but does my right hon. Friend not agree that the success of this centre is of such vital concern to the nation that it is essential that we have adequate ancillaries, such as air, road and rail links, and hotel accommodation, before the opening in January 1976? Will he give a personal undertaking to see that there is adequate co-ordination as necessary between Government Departments to achieve this aim?

The Prime Minister

This is widely recognised throughout the Midlands, as well as a large part of the rest of the country, to be a most important project, which has had the support of all parties concerned. The two central Government Departments mainly concerned—the DTI and the DoE—are in close contact about the co-ordination for which my hon. Friend has asked. The development will be considerable, of course. There will be a 400-room hotel, a 250-room motel, a conference centre, and parking for 15,000 cars. The infrastructure which will be required for this, including, I understand, improved airport facilities, will be co-ordinated by the Departments concerned because of the importance that we attach to it.

Mr. Kaufman

When the National Exhibition Centre is completed, will the Prime Minister arrange to have on display there the basket of groceries that was on display at Conservative Central Office in June 1970, together with the prices they cost then and the prices they cost now?

The Prime Minister

What I do know is that another Conservative Government will be able to see this project through to its fruition.