§ 25. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Postmaster-General how he proposes to celebrate the tercentenary of the establishment of post offices in Great Britain and the appointment of a Postmaster-General.
§ Miss PikeWe propose to celebrate the tercentenary of the Charles II Act of 1660 establishing the "General Letter Office" by the issue in the summer of special 3d. and 1s. 3d. stamps and by the display of a series of posters showing how the mail was delivered at various times during the 300 years. These scenes will be painted by famous artists and the theme will be the need for a correct address in order that mail can be delivered quickly.
In addition, we have a stand at the Ideal Home Exhibition featuring the historical development of the postal services over the past 300 years.
1203 The celebrations are not intended to mark the appointment of a Postmaster-General.
§ Mr. HughesBut is the Minister aware that I listened with great patience to her very long Answer in the hope of hearing at the end that the Post Office would issue a stamp of Robert Burns? Does this mean that we are likely to have a postage stamp of the Postmaster-General, and if so, will she let the Postmaster-General have it for England and give us Burns for Scotland?
§ Mr. JannerMay I ask the hon. Lady to realise that the old-age pensioners at Mowmacre Hill, Leicester, will not participate in any celebrations about the tercentenary of the establishment of a post office until they have a post office of their own?
§ Miss PikeOne of our difficulties is that the Post Office services to the community are always developing. Three hundred years ago the Post Office was not paying pensions and allowances to people in the country as a whole. At the present time we are doing everything we can to meet the growing demands of the community.