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The UK's "much loved" red pillar boxes should be given listed building status to avoid international companies changing their colour, the Commons has heard.
The government intends to privatise the Royal Mail in a bid to protect its long term future and improve its service.
During business questions, Philip Hollobone (Con, Kettering) called on the government to take steps to require Royal Mail to ensure the retention of the colour and the Royal monogram on post boxes.
Hollobone said the post boxes are one of the "great symbols of our nations" and should they disappear following privitasation it would be a "national shame".
He asked: "Will the minister require the Royal Mail to keep red pillar boxes or otherwise ensure that some form of listed heritage status is applied to them so we won't lose this great British symbol?"
In response, postal affairs minister Ed Davey said the Royal Mail has stated publicly that it "cherishes our distinctive and much-loved red post boxes" and that it is committed to ensuring they remain a distinctive part of communities.
He told MPs: "Britain's post boxes were originally green but the public complained they were too camouflaged, so they tried chocolate brown but it required too much paint, so they ended up with red - and we're on the fifth shade."
It would cost £1.7m to repaint all Britain's 115,000 pillar boxes, he said.
Davey reassured Hollobone that the Royal Mail has 300 litres of red paint in stock. He added: "I think he can sleep easy in his bed."
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