HC Deb 10 July 1952 vol 503 cc1494-5
2. Mr. Dodds

asked the President of the Board of Trade what precautions he is taking to ensure that Coronation souvenirs will be of a reasonable standard; what arrangements he is making for manufacturers to send samples for consideration; and from what date he is permitting souvenirs to be sold to the public.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

A Coronation Souvenirs Committee has been appointed by the Council of Industrial Design at my request and a Coronation Medal Panel by the Royal Mint, Federation of British Industries and the Council of Industrial Design. Their object is to promote a high standard of design in souvenirs made by British manufacturers for the Coronation. Manufacturers have been invited, through the Press, to submit their designs to the Committee and Panel respectively.

In answer to the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department to my hon. Friend the Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Erroll) on 19th June.

Mr. Dodds

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that today many people treasure Coronation souvenirs of the past, and will he see that a high standard is maintained and that the public are not fleeced by get-rich-quick merchants?

Mr. Shepherd

Will my right hon. Friend also bear in mind that manufacturers are already plagued by a hundred-and-one conflicting regulations regarding these souvenirs and that if we have many more panels and bodies to which we have to submit designs there will be no production in time for the Coronation?

Mr. Thorneycroft

No regulations are concerned in this matter. This is merely for the assistance of those industries who might choose to use these panels.