Written question asked by Lord Laird (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Vadera (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 March 2008.

Robert Burns: 250th Anniversary

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have asked or will ask the Royal Mail and the Bank of England to celebrate in January 2009 the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.

Answer: I understand that Royal Mail does intend to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns by issuing a special stamp and miniature sheet in January 2009. There are currently no plans for issuing in 2009 a Bank of England bank note including Robert Burns as an historical character. The Bank of England regularly receives representations to include historical figures on the back of its new bank notes. The Governor of the Bank of England makes the final decision on the historical figure to be represented on the back of their new bank notes.

Secondary information