§ 10. Dr. Julian Lewis (New Forest, East)What plans the Government have to commemorate in the UK the 80th anniversary of the Royal Air Force and the 50th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift.[36266]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. John Spellar)I am delighted to have this opportunity to pay tribute to the Royal Air Force and to all those who support it. A number of events are planned to mark the 80th anniversary of its foundation and the 50th anniversary of the Berlin airlift.
§ Dr. LewisI am delighted to hear that the Government plan to recognise these events. Do the Government realise the intensity of pride that the British people take in such anniversaries? Will the Minister be a little more specific about the events that he has in mind? Events to mark these anniversaries have been carried out and are planned in my constituency. It would be a shame if more was taking place in one constituency than in the whole of Whitehall.
14 Will the Minister consider the representations of the British Berlin Airlift Association, which wants the Royal Mail to issue a commemorative stamp to mark that crucial turning point in the war? That suggestion has so far been given an idle brush-off.
§ Mr. SpellarI cannot accept that. I have had discussions with the Department of Trade and Industry, which, as the sponsoring Department, is discussing this matter with the Post Office. The Berlin airlift, which was authorised and instigated by that great Labour Foreign Secretary Ernie Bevin and of which we should rightly be proud, should be properly marked. A number of veterans will be going to Berlin, as will the Secretary of State. The 80th anniversary of the RAF is being marked, and both that anniversary and the airlift will be celebrated at the Fairford flying display in July. We tend to mark such anniversaries in blocks of 25 years, so although we shall have a number of events, they will not be on such a scale as for the 75th or the 100th anniversary.
§ Mr. Andrew Dismore (Hendon)May I remind my hon. Friend that the RAF museum in my constituency recently celebrated its 25th anniversary? The museum has been working closely with the British Berlin Airlift Association and intends to mount exhibitions at Hendon and at its outstation at RAF Cosford to mark the anniversary of the Berlin airlift. Madam Speaker, you and any hon. Member who can find time in busy schedules to visit the museum to see what is planned will be more than welcome.
§ Mr. SpellarGiven my hon. Friend's remarks, I am sure that he will find that it pays to advertise. Those of us who recently visited the museum were impressed by the work that it is undertaking. We were pleased to support its lottery bid, and we believe that it has a great future in representing the proud and noble tradition of the Royal Air Force.