§ 2.46 p.m.
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government the Question of which I have given private notice—namely, what arrangements are proposed for the opening of the Parliamentary Exhibition in the Grand Committee Room.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF WORKS (LORD MORRISON)My Lords, I am obliged to the noble Marquess for giving me this opportunity of making a Statement. On November 21 it was announced in another place that the Parliamentary Supervisory Committee on the Festival of Britain, presided over by Lord Winterton, had recommended the acceptance of a number of suggestions for enabling a full part to be played by our Parliamentary Institutions in the Festival of Britain. The main recommendation was that an Exhibition on the history of Parliament should be held in the Grand Committee Room. I am glad to be able to announce that my noble and learned friend the Lord Chancellor and Mr. Speaker will open the Exhibition at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 1, and all Members of both Houses are invited to attend. An opportunity will be given to Members to visit the Exhibition from after the opening ceremony until 8 p.m. The public will not be admitted on this day.
On the two following days admission to the Exhibition will be confined to Members of the two Houses and to their friends. If Parliament has by then risen for the Summer Recess, the Exhibition will be open to the public without charge, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, and daily thereafter, Sundays excepted, until Parliament reassembles. May I add that we hope that everyone who can will visit this Exhibition? It is Parliament's own contribution to the Festival of Britain; and its purpose is to illustrate the history, development and achievements of Parliament, and the influence of our idea of Parliamentary Government on institutions overseas.