asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will give details of the advanced bookings for guaranteed admission to the South Bank Exhibition up to the last convenient date.

Firm bookings up to 25th April last totalled 1,040,072 and they have been continuing at an increasing rate since that date. Of this total, 393,000 have been sold by the South Bank Advance Ticket Office and 354,000 by British Railways. The number of sales to organised school parties included in the total is 325,000. So far, bookings are heaviest for May and June, and certain Saturdays are substantially sold out. There are still plenty of tickets for most other days, including Sundays.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if all exhibits in the South Bank Exhibition will be completed in time for the official opening on 4th May.

Yes, Sir. All but a few minor exhibits will be in position and the displays substantially complete.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the records show that no previous world exhibition has been ready on opening day, and do not those responsible for the creation of the South Bank Exhibition deserve every congratulation?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend. So far as I know, the South Bank show is more nearly complete than any other exhibition in my experience, and great credit reflects on all those connected with it.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what arrangements have been made for cleaning the South Bank Exhibition.

The cleaning of the grounds of the South Bank Exhibition will be done by staff directly employed by the Festival Office, who will also do minor external cleaning to structures. Arrangements will be made as required for major external cleaning to structures. A contract has been placed for window-cleaning, and a separate contract for the general internal cleaning. In addition, a number of the exhibits will require specialist treatment, and arrangements are being made to ensure that the services of specialists are available.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what quantity of steel he has authorised for use in connection with the South Bank Exhibition of the Festival of Britain.

I have nothing to add to what I told the hon. Member in reply to this Question last week.

As the right hon. Gentleman told me nothing whatsoever, can we know when we can get a statement of the total amount of steel which has been used on the South Bank Exhibition?

I told the hon. Member I could not devote staff to go into the analysis he required. If he wants figures for the South Bank only, I shall be pleased to give them.

This Question relates to the South Bank.

If the hon. Member will read his own Question, he will see that it does not—[HON. MEMBERS: "It does."] I apologise to the hon. Member; as put on my brief, it does not. I am very glad to give the figures for the South Bank Exhibition: 195 tons of sheet steel and 3,765 tons of other steel, all of which was given after steel came off the ration, since May, 1950.

Did the Minister of Supply authorise this quantity to be used?

It was not necessary except for the first 195 tons authorised, as the subsequent issue of requirements came at a time when steel was no longer controlled.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the fact that the Fun Fair at Battersea Park is in a condition to be opened to the public, he will allow it to be opened on the advertised date of 3rd May.

No, Sir. The Fun Fair is not in a condition in which it can be operated, nor is it considered possible to open it in a finished condition by 3rd May. Arrangements have been made for it to open on Friday, 11th May.

When the right hon. Gentleman says "not in a condition in which it can be operated," does he mean that the things will not go round, or that certain decorations have to be put up, because I understand the things will go round and that it can be operated?

No, of course it will all go round, but there has been a concatenation of circumstances which has not made completion speedy, and I think it better to wait until 11th May, rather than to have a poor opening event.

Is the greatest credit due to all concerned?

On the whole, yes.

Has my right hon. Friend noticed the delight of hon. Members on the benches opposite at this disappointing delay as compared with their disappointment when they heard that the South Bank Exhibition would open on time?

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the concatenation of circumstances explains the picture, for which he has paid £500, called "Autumn Landscape"?

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he can indicate the date on which the Festival of Britain Fun Fair in Battersea Park is now expected to open; and the extent of the financial loss incurred as a result of the postponement.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether any decision has yet been arrived at following the deputation of showmen to the Board of Festival Gardens, Limited, urging the opening of the Fun Fair on the original date agreed.

The Board of Festival Gardens, Limited, has decided that the Fun Fair cannot be opened on the original date, but that it can be opened before Whitsuntide on Friday, 11th May. I am informed that the financial loss to the Company incurred as a result of this postponement is expected to be about £5,000.

To obviate this postponement, would it not have been possible and better to have started the work on that site a little earlier.

I think it would be better to wait until I have made a full statement on the Second Reading of the Bill which is coming before the House. Under the circumstances, I think we are very lucky to get it open as early.

Does the last statement of the right hon. Gentleman—that he is to make a statement on the Second Reading of the Bill—mean that we are not to have the report he previously promised?

I cannot answer that today, but I am hoping the report will be out soon; if possible, before the Second Reading.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if all the constructions for the Festival of Britain in Battersea Park are British designed and built.

Not all the constructions are British designed and built.

In this Festival of Britain would it not have been more appropriate to have British designs and manufactures?

We have not the same kind of fun here and it was thought advisable to have the maximum variety. All the purchases have been made through British companies. Some of them—I will not say all—have got concessionary rights as a consequence.

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many tickets for the opening ceremony of the Festival of Britain Exhibition have been allocated to foreign visitors.

Excluding the Diplomatic Corps, 80 double tickets have been allocated to overseas visitors including foreigners, for the South Bank Exhibition on the occasion of the first visit of the King and Queen on 4th May.

Is that not very disappointing?

No. Sir.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the bonus over and above the ordinary trade union rates, plus the Incentive Bonus Scheme, covered by the National Working Rule Agreement for the building industry, being paid to the workmen on the Festival of Britain sites; under what conditions it was granted; and what payments on account have been made.

No additional bonus is being paid by the Festival Office in respect of the work on the South Bank Exhibition, the Science Exhibition, or the Architecture Exhibition for which it is responsible.

If the hon. Member is referring to bonuses paid at the Festival Pleasure Gardens, I should explain that the Gardens are run by a private company. As the House is aware, however, an inquiry is being made into the overspending by the Company, and I think it better to defer any statement until that inquiry has been completed.