HC Deb 19 June 1952 vol 502 cc120-1W
98. Mr. Erroll

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the difficulty British manufacturers are experiencing in trying to obtain approval of Coronation designs embodying portraits of Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family, coats of arms, regalia and Dominion flags and crests; if he will, forthwith, enunciate general principles which will serve as a guide to United Kingdom manufacturers, set up a single office empowered to approve individual designs, where such prior approval is necessary, and enlist the co-operation of the Commonwealth countries.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

An announcement was published in the Press on 16th April, 1952, that the Queen had authorised during 1953, subject to certain restrictions, the use of various Royal Emblems on permanent souvenirs of Her Majesty's Coronation. A copy of that announcement is given below. In accordance with the announcement, souvenirs bearing any of the named emblems do not require individual approval and should not be sold in the United Kingdom before January 1st, 1953. If any manufacturer finds any difficulty or desires further information he should communicate with the Home Office on all matters other than photographs on which he should communicate with the Keeper of the Privy Purse at Buckingham Palace.

I do not think it is necessary to set up a separate office as suggested by my hon. Friend, since the Home Office is in a position to consult the various interests concerned and to give advice with the minimum of delay.

Following is the announcement:

CORONATION SOUVENIRS AND DECORATIONS

The Queen has authorised during 1953 a temporary relaxation of the rules governing the use of the Royal Titles, Emblems and Photographs in so far as articles of a permament kind which have been manufactured specially as souvenirs of Her Majesty's Coronation are concerned.

For this purpose no objection will be raised to the reproduction of the Royal Arms, the Royal Cypher, the Crown, the Royal Standard and approved Royal Photographs.

The relaxation does not apply to articles of a temporary nature including articles of dress. Manufacturers and retailers who need further advise on the subject should write to the Home Secretary, unless it is a matter connected with the reproduction of Royal Photographs or Pictures, when application should be made to the Keeper of the Privy Purse, Buckingham Palace. It will be necessary for the intended user of photographs to settle the question of copyright himself.

The Queen has also been pleased to approve that reproductions of Royal Photographs and of the Crown, either alone or in conjunction with other Emblems and the Royal Cypher may be used in schemes of decoration, provided they are not associated in any way with the advertisement of individuals, firms or commodities. This particularly applies to the display of the Royal Arms in shop window decorations of firms who are not Royal Warrant Holders.

A further announcement on the subject of Coronation Medallions will be made shortly.

The Royal Standard is the personal Banner of The Queen and may not be flown by any other person.