HC Deb 27 October 1965 vol 718 cc134-5
8. Sir E. Bullus

asked the Postmaster-General how many commemorative stamps he now proposes to issue during the year 1966.

Mr. Benn

In addition to the Robert Burns and Westminster Abbey commemorative stamps already announced I shall issue special stamps for the World Cup Football Championships on 1st June and the 900th Anniversary of the Battle of Hastings on 14th October. I also intend to introduce special pictorial issues. I shall announce the details later.

Sir E. Bullus

One accepts the desirability of some of these commemorative stamps, but is it not more essential for the right hon. Gentleman and his Department to apply all their attention to improving the rapidly deteriorating delivery service?

Mr. Benn

This argument would have applied to almost all the commemorative stamp issues, which are widely welcomed. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman is interested, he will have seen that the Council of Industrial Design paid special tribute to the stamp issues this year. Last year, world commemorative stamp issues totalled 4,675 and in this country only eight. I believe that our stamp designers, who are pacemakers in this field, should be given encouragement.

Mr. George Jeger

In future will my right hon. Friend consult mature political advisers about the issue of commemorative stamps so as to avoid publishing objectionable Fascist emblems?

Mr. Benn

I take it that my hon. Friend is referring to the Battle of Britain stamps. No doubt he will recall, as I do, that it was the custom of R.A.F. pilots during the Battle of Britain to paint swastikas on their aircraft to signify their victories.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

How many commemorative issues have been produced far later than the right hon. Gentleman said they would be?

Mr. Benn

As the hon. Gentleman knows, there was industrial action at the supply depot. One stamp, the Churchill Commemorative Stamp, was delayed and the I.T.U. stamp was put at the end of the programme instead of the beginning and will therefore come out at the end of this year.