HC Deb 05 March 1958 vol 583 cc1148-50
17. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give an estimate of what it would cost to issue a special stamp on the occasion of the bicentenary of the birth of Robert Burns.

Mr. K. Thompson

At a very approximate estimate, £6,000.

Mr. Hughes

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that this £6,000 is a very small sum considering the amount of national sentiment that is behind this matter? Is he aware that the Burns Federation has recently received the support of the Royal Scots Clan of America? If the Scots do not appeal to him, will he reconsider this matter in view of the necessity of maintaining Anglo-American relationships?

Mr. Thompson

I do not think that we set any lower value on Anglo-American relationships than the hon. Gentleman or Scots generally. We have never at any time suggested that it was an estimate of the cost of producing a Burns stamp which was the obstacle that stood in our way.

Dame Florence Horsbrugh

May I ask my hon. Friend if he is aware that a great many people think that it is a bad thing that too many opportunities are taken to issue special stamps? Their value may decrease, and many people do not want special stamps to be issued on too many occasions.

Mr. Thompson

I am glad that my right hon. Friend has supported the view that we take, which is that we should maintain the prestige of our stamps not only by limiting the number of them, but by maintaining the very high quality.

Sir T. Moore

On a point of order. As the poet Burns was born in my constituency and as you have quoted him on many an occasion, Mr. Speaker, would not it be appropriate if I were allowed to put a supplementary question?

Mr. Speaker

A great number of people have been born in Ayrshire.

18. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Postmaster-General the loss to the Post Office of issuing special stamps to commemorate the International Boy Scout Rally and the Conference of the International Parliamentary Union.

Mr. K. Thompson

None, Sir.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Assistant Postmaster-General aware that there is the same justification for issuing a Burns postage stamp as there was for issuing special stamps to commemorate these two functions? Does he realise that if a Burns stamp were issued there would be far more stamps sold by the Post Office, and we should get an increased revenue as a result?

Mr. Thompson

The difference between the special stamps we have issued to which the hon. Gentleman refers in his Question and the proposed special stamp to commemorate Robert Burns is that these stamps commemorate other than individuals, whereas the Burns stamp would represent a significant departure from policy in representing an individual on a special stamp.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

If the Assistant Postmaster-General were ever considering issuing a stamp to celebrate the birth of a poet, would he give precedent to a poet who wrote in English? I refer to William Shakespeare.

Mr. Lipton

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are many of us who welcome this tribute to the spirit of internationalism? Will he, therefore, not be discouraged from any further proposals he may have in mind to support international bodies and authorities of the kind and character mentioned in the Question?

Mr. Thompson

I am not sure what the hon. Gentleman wants me to do, but I will bear it in mind.

Sir T. Moore

Though I am usually unwilling on general principles to associate myself with the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes), may I ask whether my hon. Friend does not think it rather short-sighted and perhaps a little stupid to offend the national sentiment of Scotland by remaining adamant on this question of the issue of commemorative stamps?

Mr. Thompson

I should like to avoid the appearance of being stupid to my hon. Friend or to the House generally. We have given a great deal of very prolonged and careful thought to this matter and have not reached this decision lightly. I hope that, in view of the arguments which have already been exchanged across the Floor on the subject, the House will at least give us the credit for having tried to be reasonable.

Mr. H. Morrison

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Robert Burns was not only a very great poet but is a great institution in Scotland and in Britain as a whole—indeed, all over the world? May I, as a Cockney, but nevertheless a great admirer and student of Robert Burns, beg of the hon. Gentleman to take this matter to the Postmaster-General and ask him to reconsider it?

Mr. Thompson

I am sure my right hon. Friend will consider these exchanges in the House today with great care. I should point out, however, that the Post Office is not called upon to decide what prominence should be given to Robert Burns in the calendar of the great. Our job is to decide how we can take this matter into account in relation to our postage stamp policy, and that is what we have done.