HC Deb 18 December 1962 vol 669 cc1066-7
18. Mr. Oram

asked the Postmaster-General why the United Kingdom is not participating in the world-wide issue of Freedom from Hunger stamps.

Miss Pike

My right hon. Friend has now decided that we should issue two special stamps on 21st March to mark the Freedom from Hunger campaign.

Mr. Oram

Will the hon. Lady accept my appreciation—and, I am sure, that of the whole House—of this belated but very welcome acceptance of this idea? Is it not the case that the vast majority of nations had already decided to do it, and would it not have been deplorable had we continued to he one of a misguided minority?

Mr. Gibson-Watt

Will the Assistant Postmaster-General make sure that these new stamps are, in fact, better than the last lot which came out? Some of us did not think much of those and they certainly did not do much for the philately trade in this country.

Miss Pike

We try to keep to the newest and best possible designs. We cannot please everyone all the time, but we believe in having as many innovations as possible because, we believe, that is the right line to take.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Now that the Post Office is adopting a more enlightened attitude towards stamps and designs, can we hope for stamps to commemorate Robert Burns and William Shakespeare?

Mr. Speaker

That is too far from Freedom from Hunger. Mr. Ridley.