§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will discuss with the chairman of the Post Office(a) matters relating to the possible forgery and fraudulent use of the 20p commemorative penny black stamp and (b) the question of the illegal reuse of stamps made possible because of unsatisfactory franking ink; what investigation has been undertaken into possible fraud by such means; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthThe Post Office naturally keeps such issues under constant review. It does not consider stamp forgery to be a major problem or that the penny black anniversary issue is any more vulnerable than other stamps. It believes that the information obtained from a major fraud investigation last year has enabled it to tighten measures to prevent fraud.