§ 2.59 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider carefully whether there is sufficient justification for the holding of the British Industries Fair every year and in its present form.]
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, my right honourable friend the President of the Board of Trade has asked the Exhibitions Advisory Committee to review the 745 present arrangements for the British Industries Fair, and their report is expected shortly. In the meantime, the Committee have expressed their unanimous opinion that the Fair should continue to be held annually. Arrangements are being made to hold next year's Fair in London and Birmingham from May 3 to 14.
LORD HAWKEMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for his reply. May I further ask if it is known whether all sections of industry are agreed that the present arrangements are the best possible?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, there is, I believe, some division of opinion on this matter within industry generally. The textile industry, for example, participate fully, I think, only every other year.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, could the Minister say whether there has been any notable increase or decrease in recent years in the number of exhibitors?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, so far as I know, in the last two years there has been a decrease of almost 20 per cent. in exhibitors. The actual figures are: 2,892 exhibitors in 1951, and 2,280 in 1953. This fall has been most marked in the London section of the Fair. Steps to remedy the situation are, I believe, being considered by the Exhibition's Advisory Committee.
§ EARL WINTERTONMy Lords, may I ask whether the noble Lord is in possession of any figures which show, directly or indirectly, the extent to which the export trade of this country has benefited from the Fair?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I am not in possession of any such figures, and I should imagine that it would be extremely difficult to obtain accurate figures on those lines.