§ 38. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Postmaster-General if he will issue a special postage stamp to mark the bicentenary of Kew Gardens.
§ Mr. K, ThompsonNo. Sir. Our policy is to limit the issue of special stamps to mark current events of outstanding national or international importance, and royal or postal anniversaries. I understand that some special celebrations have been arranged to mark the bi-centenary of the Kew Gardens.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that more people visit Kew Gardens than do even the shrines of Robert Burns? As so many people visit Kew, does he not think that he would sell a very large number of postage stamps, and that it would be a good way of honouring an institution that is very popular in this country and which was founded by the mother of King George the Third—with good Hanoverian blood?
§ Mr. ThompsonI am aware of the popularity of Kew Gardens, but that does not affect our policy.