HC Deb 21 January 1937 vol 319 cc342-3
52. Mr. Mander

asked the Postmaster-General whether, before new stamps are issued in the present reign, the advice of the Royal Fine Art Commission will be taken?

The Assistant Postmaster-General (Sir Walter Womersley)

I will bear this suggestion in mind, but the hon. Member will doubtless appreciate that if new stamps are to be issued by the Coronation, there is very little time available.

Mr. MacLaren

That is a good thing.

Mr. Maxton

Would it not be appropriate that the design of our stamps and coinage should not have the picture of a person as their central idea?

Mr. Mander

Would it take the Royal Fine Art Commission very long to look at any proposals that were brought forward?

Mr. MacLaren

When they were looking at them, would they know what they were looking at?

Mr. Crossley

Can we not have a really great artist to do the design for the new stamps?

Sir W. Womersley

The difficulty is to find an artist of whom the other artists approve.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that exactly the same reply was given before the House rose for the Christmas Recess, and, as time is the essence of the matter, why is there so much delay?

Mr. Macquisten

Is he aware that art is long and life is short?

Sir W. Womersley

We have recently consulted the Fine Art Commission on the general question of stamp design.