§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on the decision of the French Government not to allow a British pavilion at the Paris air show.
§ Mr. MulleyThe French Government has made no such decision. The original intention was that a British pavilion would be financed jointly by the Government and the Society of British Aerospace Companies. The organisers of the show, however, expressed concern at reports that had reached them that a number of U.K. exhibitors were proposing to abandon the individual stands which they had formerly occupied in the main halls in favour of taking up space in the proposed British pavilion. This they pointed out would alter the character of the show, and could not be permitted. My Department is in the light of the latest situation discussing with representatives of the industry what the precise scale and nature of British participation at the show should be. I am sure that industry will as in previous years be well represented at the show and I am glad to be able to say that the Government's participation will be on a larger scale than before. Full support is also being given by the Government to industrial firms who will be exhibiting at the Show.