§ LORD KILMAINE had given Notice that he would call attention to the present issue of postage stamps and their design, as compared with those of other countries and of our own Dominions and Colonies, and move to resolve, That a more interesting and attractive issue be substituted for the present one. The noble Lord said: My Lords, I have been led to bring forward the Motion which stands in my name because I and my friends have been wondering for a long time why it is, when our Dominions, Dependencies and Colonies, not to speak of foreign countries, have attractive and artistic stamps, we in this country should still share with our Teutonic neighbours the doubtful distinction of having the mont uninteresting and toneless stamps in the world. An enormous and ever-increasing interest is being taken in stamps. I think I am correct in saying that there are at least three journals published in London exclusively devoted to this subject. Big auctions are held in London two or three times a year at which collections of stamps and individual stamps are sold, and the numbers of shops that display stamps for sale are increasing both in this country and other countries.
§ The chief objections I have heard to our own stamps are that they are small, that their paper is poor, that they are of one colour and not at all distinctive, and that they bear a very unfavourable comparison with the stamps of our own Dominions and Colonies, not to mention small Republics like the Irish Free State and the, Black Republic of Liberia, both of which have most artistic stamps. I think the Irish Free State, since its rather uncertain inception, has changed its stamps at least three times, and I have been given to understand that the reason for it—and it is for the same reason that other countries change their stamps—is that it pays them to do it. One objection I have heard raised against any change being made in this country is that we cannot undertake anything now 178 because it would mean an expense. If a poor State like the Irish Free State—I do not suppose the Republic of Liberia is very wealthy either—and other countries can afford to change their stamps and have new designs, why is it we cannot do the same? Why is it we should have to wait till the death of a monarch before we get a new issue?
§ I have had prepared two comparative sheets of stamps which, I think, would be the best illustration of what I am urging. One sheet shows the stamps of this country up to one shilling in value—the stamps we are using now—and the other shows stamps of a similar valuation taken from places within the Empire. I have these sheets of stamps and I do not know whether I can lay them on the Table for any of your Lordships to see. They speak for themselves. Some of these stamps are of a most beautiful and artistic design, and it is not any question of not having the King's head upon them. They have the King's head; they are beautiful, in two colours, and are perfect pictures. Surely in a great country like this we ought to be able to have beautiful and artistic stamps. Why cannot we have stamps illustrating, say, Windsor Castle, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Forth Bridge, or stamps with flags and the King's head upon them, something that will advertise the Empire? I beg to move the Motion which stands in my name, and to ask leave to lay these two sheets of stamps on the Table, if that is the correct procedure.
§ Moved to resolve, That a, more interesting and attractive issue of postage stamps be substituted for the present one.—(Lord Kilmaine.)
§ TEE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)Perhaps the noble Lord's best course would be to lay them on the Table in the Library. I think if they were handed to the Librarian they would be placed so that any one who took an interest in them would be able to see them. I think that is the proper course.
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERMy Lords, the noble Lord who has placed this Motion on the Order Paper has raised a question which is of considerable interest to stamp dealers and stamp collectors alike. It has often been said—and the noble Lord has indicated it again to-day 179 —that the postage stamps of this country are anæmic, and that they are commonplace, and compare unfavourably with those of other nations which habitually include illustrations of national scenery, national architecture and great historical events. Ever since postage stamps were introduced into this country nearly a century ago the design of every stamp has always included a portrait of the reigning Sovereign. No exception to this rule has so far been admitted. I cannot help thinking that your Lordships' House would be the last to abandon this time-honoured practice, and, as yet, there appears to be no desire on the part of the general public for its abandonment. If the stamp is to be retained in its present size, with the Sovereign's head and the indication of the value in figures or in words, or both, there is obviously no room for any further illustrations of any kind, and little or no scope for those people with artistic talent.
The only alternative would be to increase the size of the stamp for purely æesthetic purposes, and that would result in three inconveniences. Firstly, no one wishes to lick a larger surface that is absolutely necessary. Secondly, the cost is of great importance. At present the contract which is entered into amounts to some figure approaching £70,000 a year for the manufacture and printing of the stamps. It must be obvious to the noble Lord who placed this Resolution on the Paper that if the size of the stamp was increased the cost would rise proportionately. Thirdly, it would necessitate the remodelling at considerable expense of all the automatic stamp-selling machines, of which the Post Office has now nearly 9,000 in use besides a very large number which have been erected and put into use by private enterprise. The noble Lord asked one or two questions with reference to the Irish Free State. I am advised that it is the traditional policy of the British Post Office not to issue commemorative stamps. It has been done on two occasions which will be in the recollection of your Lordships. The first was at the Wembley Exhibition and the second at the Postal Union Congress, 1929. It has, however, never been their policy to make special issues of stamps in order to make money purely out of philatelists who must of necessity keep their collections up to date. I believe that I have 180 answered the main questions which the noble Lord addressed to me, and I would invite him, in view of the facts and objections which I have stated, to withdraw the Resolution which he has placed upon the Order Paper.
§ Motion, by leave, withdrawn.
§ House adjourned during pleasure.
§ House resumed.