§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr.Burke)With your permission, Sir, I should like to make a short statement on a proposal of His Majesty's Government that a special commemorative issue of postage stamps shall be made in connection with the forthcoming victory celebrations. Our manufacturing resources and the time available are severely limiting factors. But my Noble Friend intends to issue one, and if time permits, two commemorative stamps of the lower denominations for inland and Imperial letters, and foreign letters, respectively. This will provide for the great majority of inland and overseas letters.
In order to give scope for a worthy design, the stamps will be of double size, that is, the equivalent of two of the current stamp side by side. A number of artists have been invited to submit designs, and they have been asked to emphasise peace and reconstruction in their designs rather than victory in war. My Noble Friend is in consultation with the Council of Industrial Design, and it is his intention also to seek the co-operation of the Royal Fine Arts Commission and the Royal Fine Arts Commission for Scotland, in choosing the final designs for submission to His Majesty.
§ Captain CrowderDoes the hon. Gentleman intend to reduce them to 1½d.?
§ Captain Sir Peter MacdonaldWhose head is to be engraved on these stamps?
§ Captain CrookshankMay I take it no design will be approved unless it bears the King's head, in accordance with the usual practice?
§ Mr. Douglas MarshallWill there be an air mail stamp?