HL Deb 23 January 1996 vol 568 cc901-3

2.45 p.m.

Lord Sudeley asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the first Prayer Book in 1549 and, in particular, whether they will encourage the Post Office to issue a commemorative stamp.

The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Fraser of Carmyllie)

My Lords, I have passed on to the Post Office my noble friend's request for a commemorative stamp. The special stamp programme is an operational matter for the Post Office and it will make the final decision. The Government have no special plans to commemorate this anniversary.

Lord Sudeley

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. On the matter of the 450th anniversary of the first Prayer Book, will Her Majesty's Government encourage the naming of a railway locomotive after the Archbishop of Canterbury? What consultations will the Government initiate with the Museums & Galleries Commission? Mindful of the way in which, in times past, the Book of Common Prayer has been embraced by Anglican Churches worldwide, what are the plans of both the Department of National Heritage and the British Tourist Authority?

Lord Fraser of Carmyllie

My Lords, in the same way as commemorative stamps are a matter for the Post Office, the naming of a locomotive is one for those engaged in the privatised railways rather than for government. As I indicated, we have no special plans to celebrate the anniversary. However, my noble friend may recall that as far back as April 1981 my noble friend the Leader of the House was fervent in his protection of the Book of Common Prayer and my noble friend may wish to engage in conversation with him.

Lord Kirkford

My Lords, will the Minister make a further approach to the Post Office and ask that the commemorative stamp should contain a prayer that the Post Office should not be privatised?

Lord Fraser of Carmyllie

My Lords, as one Presbyterian Scot to another, perhaps I can say that the noble Lord will be interested to know that, if there is to be a prayer for the Post Office, the Church of England is in the process of liturgical reform and the noble Lord may wish to address his observations in that direction.

Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn

My Lords, is my noble and learned friend aware that this is the quincentenary year of the College of Thomas Cranmer, the principal author of the Prayer Book? Is he further aware that Her Majesty the Queen will be opening the quincentenary library of Jesus College Cambridge, of which I have the honour to be Master? If there is a possibility of a commemorative stamp in relation to the Prayer Book, will my noble and learned friend pass on to the Post Office the suggestion that an image of the Great Gate of Jesus College might be suitable decoration?

Lord Fraser of Carmyllie

My Lords, my noble friend spelt out his case so eloquently that it is unnecessary for me to pass it on. I have no doubt that his comments will be noted. From time to time stamps commemorate religious themes and noble Lords may be interested to know that next year there are to be commemorative stamps for St. Augustine and St. Columba, but nothing to commemorate the Book of Common Prayer.

Lord Gainford

My Lords, as the Book of Common Prayer seems unfortunately to be eclipsed by "alternative" series, will the Minister note that 1999 is also the first year since 1927 when there will be a total eclipse of the sun visible in Great Britain?

Lord Fraser of Carmyllie

My Lords, my noble friend clearly draws conclusions from the movements in the heavens, although I do not believe that necessarily all of us would reach the same conclusions, but it is certainly to be noted. As I said, my noble friend the Leader of the House may be able to offer some comfort given the protection that he would wish to afford to the Book of Common Prayer.

Lord Peston

My Lords, perhaps I may bring this matter down to earth. Of course the Minister is entirely, right in that this is an operational matter for the Post Office. However, can he tell your Lordships how the Post Office makes this kind of decision? Is the issue of commemorative stamps decided on a commercial basis—namely, what kind of stamp may appeal to collectors—or does the Post Office have a concern, and indeed an obligation, to consider what are the important national events that might be commemorated, which relate, of course, to the locus of the Government?

Lord Fraser of Carmyllie

My Lords, yes indeed. Since 1969 the arrangement has been that the decision on the issue of a commemorative stamp is for the Post Office. Indeed, criteria have been established. They are to commemorate important anniversaries; to celebrate events of national and international importance; to reflect the British contribution to world affairs; to reflect the various aspects of Britain and the British way of life; to extend public patronage to the arts and also to fit in with the Royal Mail's commercial targets for philately. The Government are given an opportunity to comment on what is proposed and can certainly, as it were, veto an issue if the particular stamp proposed is considered unacceptable on political grounds.