§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the cost to the Exchequer of Great Britain's share in the two-hundredth celebration of the United States of America; and how much he expects to recoup from exports to this anniversary.
§ Mr. HattersleyI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on 19th January to my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South-West (Mrs. Wise). In addition to the allocation of up to £500,000 for the official British contribution to this celebration, provision will be made in the Estimates for the Inter-Parliamentary Union for the cost of the proposed ceremony in Westminster Hall to mark the bicentennial.
It is not possible to estimate probable export earnings relating to this anniversary. However, I understand that at least 87 British firms are currently manufacturing merchandise linked to the bicentennial for export to the United States of America.