HL Deb 07 July 1969 vol 303 cc761-2
THE LORD BISHOP OF NORWICH

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is their intention, in accordance with the first recommendation of the Fifth Antarctic Treaty Consultation Meeting, to issue a postage stamp in 1971 commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty.]

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, this anniversary is on the list of subjects from which the 1971 special stamp programme will be chosen. The final choice will probably be made in the spring of 1970.

THE LORD BISHOP OF NORWICH

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply. In view of his Answer, would not the noble Lord agree that this stamp would be a useful means of drawing the attention of the public to the Antarctic Treaty as a most impressive example of effective international co-operation by most diverse groups of nations?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I quite agree. This is a consideration which no doubt will be in the minds of those by whom the choice is made.

THE LORD BISHOP OF NORWICH

My Lords, I must thank the noble Lord again. May I ask this further question in respect of timing? I wonder whether the noble Lord is aware that the Governments of Argentine, France, New Zealand and South Africa have already approved this recommendation, and that the other seven Governments are anxious to know whether we are prepared to issue a metropolitan commemorative stamp. If Her Majesty's Government are favourably disposed towards this recommendation, would it not be advantageous and helpful to make as early an announcement as possible?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, the difficulty in making a particular decision in advance of the general selection is that it is not certain what other matters may arise nearer the time. But the special case which the right reverend Prelate tells the House about concerning the interests of the other countries has, I understand, been put before my right honourable friend and will be taken into account.

BARONESS BROOKE OF YSTRADFELLTE

My Lords, would the noble Lord be good enough to ensure that, if this stamp and other stamps are to be available, we have enough to satisfy those who are keen philatelists? I have tried to get two sheets of such stamps at our post office to-day, and they were already not available.

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I am not myself an expert in these matters, but there is such a thing as diluting the value of the issue by having too many on the market. However, I will certainly see that what the noble Baroness has said is considered.

LORD AMULREE

My Lords, I wonder whether the noble Lord will also make sure at the same time that enough normal stamps, not the commemorative type, are on the market, because some of us prefer to have the ordinary stamps.

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I am sure that I shall be in order in saying that that point also will be taken into account.

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that at 10.30 on the morning of the Investiture I tried to buy some commemorative stamps in Caernarvon and the post office had run out of them?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I am greatly surprised that the noble Lord was able to run round Caernarvon at 10.30 in the morning last Tuesday looking for stamps. Most people were occupied in other directions.

LORD BYERS

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that exactly the same thing happened at Portmadoc at 10.30?

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