HC Deb 25 October 1950 vol 478 cc347-8W
46. Mr. Bossom

asked the Lord President of the Council how much public money is being spent upon the experiments being arranged to send radar messages to the moon from the Festival of Britain.

Mr. H. Morrison

The equipment which will enable visitors at the South Bank Exhibition to see the reflection of radar signals from the moon will cost £25,000. This display will certainly be attractive and informative to the general public; but, as well as this, its unique equipment will make possible the next stage in the practical development of radar astronomy. Britain, at present, leads the world in this important subject of research—indeed, the South Bank equipment itself will be used during the exhibition for serious research purposes as well as for interesting the public. After the closing of the exhibition it will be devoted wholly to scientific use. I would add that the necessity of building such an equipment for scientific purposes had been established quite independently of any exhibition requirements.

47. Sir H. Williams

asked the Lord President of the Council whether the admission fee of 5s. to the Festival of Britain will include admission to the side shows on the South Bank; and also whether the fee to enter the amusement park at Battersea will also cover the side shows.

Mr. H. Morrison

As already announced, the prices of admission (except on Tuesday) to the South Bank Exhibition—to which I assume the hon. Member refers—will be 4s. through the turnstiles and 5s. if a ticket guaranteeing entry is purchased in advance. Children five years old and under 15 will be admitted at half price. Except for the Telecinema there will be no supplementary charges for any display, feature, demonstration or musical performance within the Exhibition. At Battersea, the Amusement Park will occupy an area of one-fifth of the whole Festival Pleasure Gardens. The price of admission to the Gardens will be 2s., or, if an advance ticket is purchased 2s. 6d. Children under 15 will be admitted at half price. Throughout the Pleasure Gardens there will be a variety of entertainments which will be free to all who have paid the price of admission, and will be ample to keep them amused without any necessity for further payments. There will be no additional fee for entering the Amusement Park but the Amusement Park will, of course, include all the usual features, including side-shows, for which the customary charge will be made.

Mr. Bossom

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will arrange with the appropriate authority for a plan of the amusement arrangements being provided in Battersea Park for the Festival of Britain to be displayed in the Tea Room.

Mr. H. Morrison

Yes. A plan showing the complete layout of the Festival Pleasure Gardens in Battersea Park, including the amusement arrangements, is being prepared and will be displayed in the Tea Room as soon as possible.

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