§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider introducing reduced admission charges to the unemployed for the international garden festival.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinNo. The Merseyside Development Corporation, which is promoting the festival, has considered reduced admission charges for the unemployed, but has concluded that the administrative problems involved would make this unworkable. However, tickets will be available, at a cost of £1 for adults and 50p for children and old age pensioners, providing admission for the last three hours that the festival is open in the evening, thus offering a very large price reduction that will be convenient for local people.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest date for entries from countries wishing to participate in the international garden festival.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe deadline for countries wishing to participate in the outdoor gardens has now passed. Space in the international pavilion glasshouse is also fully booked. Some space remains for the series of indoor shows in the festival hall as was anticipated at this stage. It is normal in international garden festivals for space to continue to be booked—especially for the later shows—even after the festival has started.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the countries which will be taking part in the international garden festival at the latest date.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe following countries are firmly committed to take part:
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Australia India Austria Israel Belgium Italy
Canada Japan China Portugal Czechoslovakia Singapore Denmark Spain Egypt Sri Lanka France Thailand Germany (FRG) Turkey Greece United Kingdom Holland United States of America Outdoor gardens will also be provided by Cologne, Florida, Madeira and Queensland. Further commitments are expected from countries with which detailed discussions are at an advanced stage.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest estimate of the visitors to the Liverpool international garden festival.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinIndependent market research in 1983 has confirmed that it is realistic to expect at least three million visitors.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the price range for admission to the international garden festival.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe price range for admission to the festival is as follows:
£ Adults 3.50 Children (5–16), OAPS and Students 2.00 Children under five Free Family ticket (two adults and three children) 9.00 Adult season ticket *18.00 Child/OAP/student season 10.00 End of day ticket: adult 1.00 End of day ticket: child/OAP 0.50 *£15 until 31 March 1984. There will also be inclusive tickets for entry to the festival and travel to and from the festival on Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive services and group rates for large parties and tour operators.