§ 1. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that each of the 10s., 5s. and 2s. 6d. stamps in Great Britain depicts a Royal castle beside the head of Her Majesty the Queen; and if he will authorise the issuing of a guinea stamp depicting the birthplace of Robert Burns beside the head of Her Majesty.
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Kenneth Thompson)The Answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir," and to the second part "No, Sir."
§ Mr. HughesDoes not the Assistant Postmaster-General realise that that makes no contribution to artistic taste, that many realms in the British Commonwealth and various foreign countries show much more artistic taste in their selection, choice and design of postage stamps and that his regional stamps take not a step in that direction? Will the hon. Gentleman reconsider the Answer he has given and do something about it?
§ Mr. ThompsonI am not sure that the hon. and learned Gentleman is quite fair in his description of the new regional stamps which have, in fact, been received with a good deal of approval both in Scotland and elsewhere. I am sorry that I cannot add anything further to what I have already told the House about the use of stamps in this country for commemorating individuals.
§ Mr. RossIf the Assistant Postmaster-General cannot commemorate the bicentenary of Robert Burns in this way, does he not think it a good idea to have a plaque of the Postmaster-General placed in St. Giles's Cathedral?