§ 5. Mr. Stodartasked the Postmaster-General why he has refused to devote one out of the five special issues in this year's stamp programme to the two anniversaries which are to be celebrated in Edinburgh.
§ The Postmaster-General (Mr. Edward Short)I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member 769 for Edinburgh, North (Earl of Dalkeith) and to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 30th November.—[Vol. 737, c. 97.]
§ Mr. StodartIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that those replies were thoroughly unsatisfactory? Will he say why the issue of one of the three special stamps to do with British flora, British discoveries or British paintings could not have been postponed until next year, so as to allow for the issue of a stamp in favour of the two anniversaries commemorating Edinburgh's contribution to architecture and modern art?
§ Mr. ShortI appreciate the importance of this matter. I had more than 60 suggestions and it is difficult to be objective about this. There will be new regional stamps following the new definitive stamps coming out this year, and I believe that they will prove to be the most beautiful postage stamps ever produced in this country. In addition, there may be some Scottish pictures or pictures commemorating Scottish discoveries or wild flowers in the other sets which the hon. Gentleman mentioned.