Mr McLaren
UNCLASSIFIED
seal 32
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DEPENDENT TERRITORIES POSTAGE STALPPS
28
ReferenceU
HKG 205/2
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
- 3 QCT 1978
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
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PA
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REGISTRY
Action Taken
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1. You will be aware from comments I have made in the past that I have a number of doubts about the role that this department plays in Dependent Territories Postage Stamp matters. You may find it useful to have some background to this subject.
2.
Postage stamps are issued by Postal Administrations that have been recognised by the Universal Postal Union. 19 such postal administrations are recognised in our remaining Dependent Territories (the 16 territories plus separate postal administrations for South Georgia [as a dependency of the Falkland Islands], Tristan da Cunha and Ascension Island). Anguille is alco recognised to have a separate postal admin- istration av de trested for this purpose as a Dependent
torps
Post 3.
strations are responsible for providing the normal range of postal services and for determining the rates to be charged for these services and the way in which the charges should be levied. The commonest way is by prepayment, in acknowledgement of which official receipts are issued in the form of postage stamps. This is thus the primary purpose for which postal administrations issue stamps. There is how- ever a substantial demand for other purposes, notably from collectors, but also for such things as tourist souvenirs, or information material for schools etc.
4. A postal administration has to take a range of decisions relating to the issuing of postage stamps, the most important of which are the denominations in which stemos should be produced, the designs that should be used, the frequency with Which designs should be changed, and the numbers to bo printed of each design. In reaching these decisions they have to balance the different and often conflicting requirements of the various purposes that the stamps are intended to serve. The postal administration also needs to ensure that adequate and secure arrangements are made for printing, transporting, storing and distributing postage stamps.
Our Dependent ferritories can be divided into 2 categories for postal purposes: those where responsibility for acting as the postal administration has been delegated to local govern- ments, and those where the responsibility is still retained by HIG. Territories in the latter category include: Ascension Island, British Antarctic Territory, British Indica Ocean Territory, the alkland Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Pitcairn, St Falena, South. Georgia and Tristan da Cunha. In these territories, responsibility for taking the decisions outlined in paragraph 4 above Ties ith the Governor a consu? tation with the C0. In 11 other territories (ie Anguilla, Belize, Bermuda, Oritish Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Albert Islands, oatmeat, He Debrides, Turks & Caicos and uve(n) responsibility for these docisions has been passed to lock Linioters, sal neither the Governor for a 100 JOAMAT
FOI EXEMPTION NO. 4.4 CLOSED UNDER (2)
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN THIS IS A COPY
CODE 18-77
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