Central Office Of Information (Exhibition)

50.

Mr. Gammans
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the estimated cost of the exhibition "On Our Way," which is being held at the Hall of the Central Office of Information, in Oxford Street; and what is the object of the novelty feature, which includes a fun fair, pin tables and other sideshows.

Mr. Glenvil Hall
Thirty-three thousand pounds. The object of the novelty feature is to bring home salient economic facts in such a way as to impress them on the memory of the public. A similar technique has been used in other Central Office exhibitions.

Mr. Gammans
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the announcement about this exhibition says that the fun fair will contain "distorting mirrors, Aladdin's Cave, a for-tune-telling machine and the Biggest Rat out of Captivity," and will he explain which facts the mirrors are supposed to distort and who or what is "the Biggest Rat out of Captivity"?

Mr. Glenvil Hall
In these exhibitions we have to cater for all tastes. We hope to get Conservatives there in order to educate them.

Mr. Cecil Poole
Can my right hon. Friend say whether the fortune-telling machine was consulted by the Conservative Party before the South Hammersmith by-election?

Mr. Keeling
Can the Financial Secretary say whether the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of State were led astray about the British economic position by these distorting mirrors?

Mr. Glenvil Hall
The exhibition is not open yet.