§ 4. Mr. David Clarkasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications how many issues of commemorative stamps depicting natural history appeared in 1971.
§ Sir J. EdenNone, Sir.
§ Mr. ClarkI am sure the Minister will agree that the fact that there were no commemorative stamps last year depicting natural history has been a loss to the public. Will he have words with the Post Office on the possibility of introducing a set of commemorative stamps next year signifying national tree planting year?
§ Sir J. EdenYes, Sir. The Post Office has already announced its programme of special stamps for next year, and that is to include a British tree stamp to mark 1973 as tree planting year.
§ Mr. Sydney ChapmanDoes my right hon. Friend realise the delight that will be caused by the statement that the Post Office will commemorate with a 9p stamp the national tree planting year, 1973? I do not wish to sound as though we are not as delighted as we might have been, but will my right hon. Friend look to the possibility of a range of stamps, because English trees make such an interesting design for postage stamps?
§ Sir.J. EdenOn this occasion it will probably be only one stamp that will 594 bear the design of a British tree, probably an English oak—but it has not yet been settled. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend's interest and initiative in promoting this idea.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisWe would all accept the imaginative selection of commemorative issues, but will the Minister comment on the report that the Philatelic Bureau's revenue fell from £2.4 million in 1969 to £2.1 million in 1971?
§ Sir J. EdenThat is another question.