HC Deb 11 March 1958 vol 584 cc215-6
25. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to encourage visitors to come to Scotland in connection with the celebrations for the bi-centenary of Robert Burns.

Mr. N. Macpherson

Tourism is a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State keeps in very close touch with him and with the Scottish Tourist Board, which intends to give the celebrations of the bi-centenary all possible publicity.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that the best possible publicity that he could give to this celebration would be to help us to get a Burns stamp? Is he aware that millions of letters will be going out from Scotland to all parts of the world between now and 25th January next year, and that that would be the best way of drawing attention to it? Will he, as the hon. Member who represents Dumfries, where Burns is buried, impress upon the Secretary of State for Scotland and the reactionary Postmaster-General the need for doing something in this way?

Mr. Macpherson

As the hon. Gentleman knows, this is a matter for the Postmaster-General, and no doubt the hon. Gentleman will take steps to impress it upon him himself.

Sir T. Moore

Adverting to the Question on the Order Paper, would my hon. Friend also inform these visitors that they will receive a warm welcome from the hon. Member for Ayr, in whose constituency this unique poet was born?

Mr. Macpherson

Yes, Sir, and also in the constituency in which this unique poet died.