HC Deb 12 February 1818 vol 37 c396
Mr. Curwen

said, he thought it right to state to the House a circumstance which had just come to his knowledge, and which appeared to suggest the expediency, as well as the means of facilitating the transport of Bank Tokens to London. He understood that those tokens might be had in the country at one per cent under their nominal value. On these terms they were now buying up by speculators, with a view to obtain gold for them at the Bank, which gold could be exported at a profit. From this fact, it was obviously the interest of the Bank to appoint an agent in each of the principal towns in the country, with a view to collect these tokens, and also to save its gold, which was surely a consideration of some importance, at a period when it was proposed to extend the Bank Restriction act, in order to prevent the export of bullion. It was, besides, the duty of government as well as of the Bank, to adopt some measures to save the labourers and other poor holders of those tokens from the necessity of selling them, at a loss, in consequence of their inability to convey them to London.