§ Mr. GLEDHILLasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the total cost of the British Industries Fair for each of the last three years; and what proportion of these amounts was borne by the Exchequer?
§ Mr. COLVILLEThe cost of the British Industries Fair for each of the three years 1930, 1931 and 1932, excluding expenditure under the special Government grant for publicity purposes to which reference is made below was £53,147, £69,995 and £85,300 respectively. The proportions of these amounts which were borne by public funds were £3,186 for 1930 and £14,148 for 1931. Of this latter sum, £10,500 was granted by His Majesty's Government to assist the cotton industry in organising a special section in connection with the Fair. It is anticipated that a profit of £2,500 will be realised in respect of the 1932 Fair. The accounts for that Fair are not yet complete, and the figures given are the closest estimate available. The Government grant for publicity was for a sum not in excess of £25,000 each year. The sums expended in respect of publicity were as follow:
£ 1930 … … … 23,959 1931 … … … 24,199 1932 … … … 24,500 No provision for a grant has been made in the estimate in respect of the 1933 Fair as it is intended to secure the funds required for publicity by other means.