Proposed International Exhibition in 1951

Abstract

THE proposal that an International Exhibition should be held in London in 1951, with other matters relating to exhibitions, was referred by the Secretary for Overseas Trade to a representative Committee (the Ramsden Committee), which, in December 1945, recommended that an international exhibition should be held in London in 1951 or as soon as possible afterwards, and that it should be sited in Central London. The Government accepted the suggestion, but there have been difficulties in finding a site, accommodating visitors, etc. The Royal Society of Arts, which as the Society of Arts took the initiative in promoting the International Exhibition held in Hyde Park in 1851, has joined in advocating the holding of another and far greater Exhibition in 1951 to mark the centenary. The Society has accordingly called a conference for February 6, to give fuller consideration to this question and to discuss in particular : (1) whether an International Exhibition on a large scale should be held in London in the near future ; (2) if so, whether Hyde Park should be the site ; (3) whether every effort should be made to hold it in 1951, the centenary year of the first International Exhibition. Should the conference approve the general proposal, a formal approach would then be made to the London local authorities and to the Government.