§ Captain RAMAGEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if there is any likelihood of a serious deficit on the working expenses of the British Empire Exhibition resulting at the end of the period of the exhibition if the receipts for the remainder of the period are maintained at the same weekly average as for the first two months of the exhibition.
§ Mr. LUNNI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to a statement I made on this subject on the 14th May when the Financial Resolution of the British Empire Exhibition (Guarantee) Bill was before the House. I then indicated I had been advised that past experience of exhibitions shows there is a decided tendency on the part of the public to defer their visits until the latter half of the period during which an exhibition will run. The increased attendances to Wembley during the month of June, as compared with the months of April and May, indicate the correctness of this estimate. I am confident that the hon. and gallant Member will also agree that the prolonged bad weather which prevailed during the opening weeks of the exhibition must have had a serious deterrent effect on would be visitors to the exhibition, and in all the circumstances I do not think I am justified in asking the exhibition authorities to frame an estimate upon the basis suggested.