asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the aggregate attendance this year at the British Industries Fair and, for comparison, the attendance last year?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the total attendances at the British Trade Fair and the approximate value of orders taken; and whether in each case an improvement is shown over the previous year?

The aggregate attendance at the London Section of the British Industries Fair was:

Buyers: 114,710 against 106,280 last year.

Public: 32,738 against 25,484 last year.

The Birmingham figures are not yet available.

I regret that it is impossible to give any figures for the value of orders taken.

As my hon. Friends will appreciate, exhibitors are not in a position to estimate the amount of orders which eventuate from the numerous inquiries they receive, but certainly more benefit is derived from the Fair than can be definitely traced back to it. I am glad to say that on the whole the amount of business done appears to have been satisfactory.

May I take it, without having definite figures, that the success in Birmingham has been proportionately as great as in London?

When I was in Birmingham, going round the Fair, a short time ago, everyone seemed to be perfectly happy.

Is it not a fact that the number of inquiries made, both at Birmingham and the White City, this year is far in excess of the total on any previous occasion?

I imagine it has been, but it is very difficult to get an exact estimate.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that next year, when the Fair is held in Yorkshire, we shall go further still?

No, I am not aware of that.