§ Mr. GOULDasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of statements appearing in the Press relative to the British Empire Exhibition and its management, he will state the amount guaranteed by the Government; the total guaranteed by the guarantors; the total receipts or revenue that were estimated 1576W to come from the exhibition to meet its expenditure; the total of the expenditure that was estimated to arise; the number of visitors expected and the charge, per head, included in the estimated receipts; the approximate amount of expenditure to date; and the estimated amount required to complete the exhibition for its opening; has a further and recent appeal, by letter, been made for additional guarantors, and to what total is it asked to raise the guarantee fund; under whose control is the general manager and to whom is he accountable; can he be removed for incompetence, negligence, neglect of duty, or extravagant management; in whom is vested the power to remove him; is it intended to hold any inquiry into the affairs of the exhibition, its present position, and management; and, if so, will it be a private inquiry undertaken by business and expert persons, distinct from any departmental inquiry?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAs my hon. Friend is now doubtless aware, I have been invited by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, with the full concurrence of the Executive Council of the British Empire Exhibition, to investigate the questions which have arisen with regard to the use of materials and supplies of Empire origin, the concession for amusements and other matters, in order that the Government and Parliament may be placed in full possession of the true facts of the case. In these circumstances, my hon. Friend will perhaps be prepared to await the result of my inquiries, and will not press for an answer on the various points raised in his question.