Government spokesmen in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords rejected today six requests by members of the Parliament for withdrawal or changes in the design of a Battle of Britain commemorative stamp which includes a swastika on a downed German warplane. The Board of Deputies of British Jews also protested to the Postmaster General and asked for withdrawal of the issue. The stamps are scheduled for release in September.
The Board of Deputies protest was in a letter in which President Solomon Teff declared that “we are aware that the purpose of the stamp is to demonstrate the defeat of the evil forces which used this symbol but we feel strongly that the illustration does not convey this impression.”
“There is no need, I am sure, for me to tell you how hateful and reminiscent of the most painful memories this symbol is to millions of people of all races, creeds and nationalities, and particularly to the Jews.” The letter stated: “The Board of Deputies has already received numerous complaints from members of the Jewish community to whom the sight of the swastika in any form is offensive in the extreme.”
In Commons, Postmaster General Anthony Wedgwood-Benn refused the requests from five Labor and Conservative deputies. In five separate questions, they asked the Postmaster General whether he was aware that the design would be offensive to many people and whether he would therefore withdraw the issue. A similar refusal was made in the House of Lords by Lord Hobson replying for the Government to a complaint by Lord Braye.
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