§ Mr. Masonasked the Postmaster-General why he decided, on the grounds of obsolescence, to withdraw the Houses of Parliament pictorial air mail letter and substitute for it four-hundred-year-old Shakespeare scenes; and, in view of the fact that the Houses of Parliament pictorial was much liked, if he will now re-introduce it and make it a permanent pictorial irrespective of changes contemplated for the future.
§ Mr. MawbyThe Houses of Parliament pictorial Air Letter form was one of a pair—the other was of the Tower of London—which were put on sale in post142W offices in London from August 1963 to March 1964 as an experiment only to test the market for this kind of postal stationery. Public reaction was sufficiently encouraging to suggest a further venture in this field and the Shakespeare Festival seemed an appropriate theme. The Shakespeare Air Letter forms were issued on a country-wide basis, and will provide us with further experience on which to base a decision about the future of pictorial Air Letter forms. In reaching that decision we shall bear the hon. Member's comments in mind.