31. Captain CAZALETasked the Post master-General whether he is aware that under existing regulations it is impossible to produce in public journals illustrations of postage stamps which form part of a stamp dealer's advertisement; and whether he will consider deleting the last sentence of paragraph 2 of Post Office Circular K 712, which deals with this question?
§ Sir K. WOODAs I have explained in writing to my hon. and gallant Friend, the reproduction of any postage stamp is an infringement of the law; but under the conditions prescribed in the Post Office notice, reproductions are allowed in black and white to illustrate articles in philatelic or other publications. I regret that I cannot see my way to extend this concession to cover reproductions of stamps used to illustrate advertisements owing to the necessity of such restriction in order to check the manufacture and use of dies of postage stamps.
Captain CAZALETIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to this archaic regulation, many hundreds of pounds' worth of advertisements are going to foreign magazines which ought to go to magazines in this country?
§ Sir K. WOODI am sorry to hear it, but my hon. and gallant Friend knows the difficulty. If he would like to discuss the matter further with me, I shall be glad to do so.