§ Mr. EVELYN CECILasked the Postmaster-General whether he has yet been able to take steps to improve His Majesty's portrait on the new postage stamps and their general appearance and design; and whether he will consider further the advantages of the process of line engraving, by which very successful portraits have been produced on the Coronation issue of stamps in Newfoundland?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELSteps have been taken which will, I think, effect considerable improvement in the appearance 365 of the new postage stamps. The process of line engraving, to which the hon. Member refers, is not only five or six times as costly as the present method of printing, but lends itself to fraudulent use of cancelled stamps. The line engraving process would not, therefore, be suitable for the stamps of the lower denominations of which immense numbers are used, and which, unlike the Newfoundland stamps referred to in the question, are available for Inland Revenue purposes as well as for postage. I have already decided, however, that the line engraving process shall be adopted for the new stamps of the denominations 2s. 6d., 5s., 10s., and £l, which will be available for postage only.
§ Mr. LEECould the right hon. Gentleman have samples of these improved stamps put in the tea-room so that hon. Members might see them before the work is proceeded with?
§ Mr. HARRY LAWSONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman when it is intended to issue the new design?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIn answer to the hon. Member for Fareham, I have to state that I shall be very happy to put specimens of the new stamps in the tearoom. I shall also take the opportunity of placing there copies of the proofs which were originally passed before the stamps were issued in order that hon. Members may compare and contrast them with the stamps ultimately issued to the public. With respect to the question of the hon. Member for Mile End as to the date at which the new denominations will be issued, I have to state that they will be issued as fast as the Mint is able to produce the dies and plates. I understand that several denominations will be issued in the course of the next few weeks.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWill the present penny stamp be withdrawn?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELNo, Sir.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSMay I ask whether there is only to be a new mode of execution, or whether there is to be a new design—a new head instead of the truncated one on the stamps lately issued?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELPerhaps the ion. Gentleman had better wait until he sees the specimens.
§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYIs the process of line engraving employed in. the production of the stamps used in the United States?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe United States stamps are used for postage only.