Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether any representatives of the Government sit as observers or members on Royal Mail’s Stamp Advisory Committee; and whether proposals for new stamps are reviewed by the Government before they are presented for approval by the Sovereign.

A representative of the government from the Department of Business and Trade sits as a member on Royal Mail’s Stamp Advisory Committee.

Decisions on Royal Mail’s annual stamp programmes are the direct responsibility of the company. Stamp designs are thoroughly reviewed by the Stamp Advisory Committee, who endorse their presentation for approval by the Sovereign.