§ 2.38 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have received within the last couple of months from the British Travel Association, the Scottish Tourist Board, and various persons, letters which strongly support the proposals made in this House for the introduction of small pictorial stamps of low values to portray to the world in extensive fashion some of the scenic beauties and historical monuments of the British Isles; and whether, with regard to the trial photographic designs exhibited during the debate on May 17, they will themselves arrange for trial stamps of a similar nature to be designed and printed in colours, with a view to judging their suitability for issue.]
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, letters supporting the introduction of small low-value pictorial stamps have been received from the two organisations referred to by the noble Viscount and from some members of the public. As I told the noble Viscount in the debate on May 17, my right honourable friend is considering various aspects of stamp policy. I do not think that there is anything further I can usefully add to this at present.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his Answer. May I ask him whether he is aware that after many years in Parliament, this is the most astoundingly non-co-operative Answer I have ever received? May I also ask the noble Lord this supplementary question: what is there to prevent the Postmaster-General from carrying out the very reasonable request contained in the last lines of my Question? Is it not a very simple job?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I regret I am not sufficiently conversant with the noble Viscount's Parliamentary career to know the tone of the Answers he has received over the years. With regard to his second question, I do not think that in point of fact the noble Viscount's request is at all reasonable. I think it is naturally right that my right honourable friend should concern himself primarily with matters of policy before he tries to work out matters of detail. Any change in the present policy raises wide and serious issues, not the least of which, as I have tried to explain before, is the replacement of the simple dignity of our Sovereign's head design by what is, in effect, one might say, tourist advertisements. It should, I should have thought, be quite obvious that matters of policy must be decided well before any consideration of the suitability for reproduction of various pictures, whether of bridges, beaches, lakes or other features.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, if it is a matter of policy to which the noble Lord refers, is it not quite clear that this policy, even if it were to be approved by the Postmaster General, could not be approved and carried out without, as I have suggested at the end of my Question, the stamps being designed and printed, so that it can be judged whether they are fit to be issued?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I am afraid I do not agree with the noble Viscount at all. I think it would be essential first to decide whether any departure from our present very valuable and deeply valued policy should be made; and after that decision had been made it would then be a question of deciding the details of the stamp to be issued instead.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMy Lords, may I give the noble Lord notice that I will revert to this subject at an early date?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I expected that.