HC Deb 05 May 1965 vol 711 c1354
42. Mr. Box

asked the Postmaster-General whether a Welsh 4d. stamp will be available when the increased postal charges take effect.

Mr. Benn

No, Sir: but I intend to include a 4d. stamp in the Wales and Monmouthshire, as well as the other regional series of stamps, as soon as this can conveniently be arranged. In this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made on the 24th March in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Mr. Hobden).

Mr. Box

Is the Postmaster-General aware that his reply will be received with great disappointment in Wales? As an interim measure, will he consider over-printing the existing 3d. Welsh stamp with the words, "33⅓ per cent. increase due to the cost of a Labour Government"?

Mr. Benn

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman is a philatelist, but that would certainly make the stamp so much more worth while that it would more than pay for any increase in charges. I am sure the hon. Gentleman will be pleased to know that we are now engaged in the process of redesigning all the definitive stamps, and, with the help of the regional advisory committees, we shall be looking at the regional stamps as well.