HC Deb 05 March 1958 vol 583 cc1144-5
14 and 15. Mr. Gower

asked the Postmaster-General (1) why he has recently rejected a design for a business reply service envelope in which the essential and prescribed information was set out in Welsh as well as in English, when the proposed service was intended primarily for the convenience of persons resident in Wales; and (2) the objections of his Department to the use of the Welsh language in connection with the business reply service: and if he will make a statement.

Mr. K. Thompson

The design was rejected because it did not comply with Post Office requirements. No licence was issued, although a number had been provisionally assigned to the applicants. I have arranged that, in order to avoid embarrassment and difficulty for the applicants, the envelopes will be treated as if the design had been agreed. I must emphasise that this special concession applies only to these envelopes, and all future designs must have the prior approval of the Post Office. I have also asked the Director of the Post Office in Wales to be prepared in future to accept designs incorporating the Welsh language as well as English, provided that they conform to the practical requirements of the Post Office.

Mr. Gower

I thank my hon. Friend for this change of mind, which was certainly desirable, but will he consider also with sympathy the similar case of the Welsh National Folk Museum at St. Fagan's, Cardiff, which has submitted a design in Welsh which is intended for use in parts of Wales where the prospective recipients are primarily Welsh-speaking people?

Mr. Shinwell

Can the hon. Member for Barry (Mr. Gower) speak Welsh?

Mr. Thompson

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his perhaps somewhat grudging acceptance of the arrangement we have made. I think that he will find that my Answer covers the sort of case he has in mind for the Welsh National Folk Museum, which I have seen and which I very much liked. If there is any further difficulty in that case, or in others, I have no doubt that hon. Members will very quickly bring it to my notice.