§ Mr. RUNCIMANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade 1660W Department what the British Empire Exhibition stadium was originally estimated to cost, how much has already been spent on it, and what is the total expenditure likely to reach; whether any contracts have been entered into for the letting of the Stadium for great football matches, how many days in the year it will be let for these purposes, and for how many years; and whether any other contracts have been entered into for the letting of the Stadium for any other purposes?
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELI am informed that the Stadium was originally estimated to cost £275,000. The cost to date, as shown in the auditors' statement dated 4th December, 1925, amounts to £505,567, and it is possible that when a decision has been reached in regard to certain claims which are now under discussion, a further payment of not more than £15,000 may be due. A contract was entered into between the exhibition authorities and the Football Association, whereby important football matches may be played in the Stadium until 1944. No intimation has yet been received from the Football Association as to the number of matches they propose should be played in the Stadium under the contract. No contract for the letting of the Stadium for other purposes has been entered into.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANasked the Prime Minister whether he has yet considered the desire for an inquiry into the management, the expenses and the capital expenditure of the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley; and, in view of the fact that £1,100,000 of the loss is now to be paid by the Exchequer, he will arrange for the appointment of a small committee of inquiry, acting either as a committee of this House or as a Departmental Committee?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs my hon. Friend the Secretary of the Overseas Trade Department slated in the House during the Debate or the British Empire Exhibition Supplementary Estimate, there is no evidence of any serious demand on the part of guarantors for an inquiry such as that which the right hon. Gentleman suggests. In the absence of such a demand the Government would deprecate such an inquiry as they do not consider it would serve any useful purpose.