51. Mr. ALAN SYKESasked the Postmaster-General whether the change of colour in some of the new stamps is done in accordance with any definite scheme, or whether in selecting the colour he is influenced by merely artistic considerations?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe colours of the ½d., 1d., and 2½d. stamps are prescribed by the International Postal Union—namely, green, red, and blue, respectively. For other denominations my endeavour has been to obtain colours which will be both distinctive and pleasing.
52. Mr. ALAN SYKESasked the Postmaster-General whether, seeing that the design of the new 1d. and 2½d. stamps is identical save for the difference in colour 1262 and amounts printed thereon, he will consider the possibility of having a uniform design for the whole range of stamps, the distinctions being made by the differences in colour and the amounts printed thereon?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe new issue of adhesive postage stamps will comprise eighteen denominations, and six different designs will be used for them. It it desirable for administrative reasons that the stamps of different values should be as distinctive from one another as possible, and this would not be sufficiently secured if the same design were used for all denominations.
§ Mr. KINGWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of altering the size and shape of various stamps, as is done abroad in certain countries?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELWe are considering having the highest denominations, i.e., 2s. 6d. and upwards, a larger size than the others, but it would cause inconvenience in the handling of the stamps in the Post Office and also by the public to have a number of varieties of the smaller denominations.