§ Mr. Speedasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what criteria his De- 44W partment are considering in the selection of a site for a National Exhibition Centre;
(2)what size is under consideration by his Department for the new National Exhibition Centre; and what estimate he has made of the number of people likely to be permanently employed at the centre;
(3) what consultations has his Department had with the local authorities concerned about the possibility of a National Exhibition Centre at Elmdon ;
(4) if he will state the exact locations of the various sites being considered for a National Exhibition Centre; and when a decision is likely to be reached on the site selected.
§ Mr. MasonThe Board of Trade has a number of proposals under consideration for a National Exhibition Centre. These proposals concern sites in various parts of the country. The Lord Report published by the Federation of British Industry in 1962 suggested a centre with a gross floor area of 900,000 square feet. Permanent employment at a centre is likely to be small and to consist of a nucleus of management and maintenance staff.