§ MR. J. C. EWARTsaid, in the absence of the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. William Ewart), he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, in the event of the contemplated issue of a new Silver Coinage, it is intended to adopt the 262 proportion of nine-tenths fine and one-tenth alloy, in conformity with the usage of most European countries, and the recommendation of the International Statistical Congress?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER,in reply, said, he was not in a condition at present to give a very distinct answer to the question of the hon. Member. No proposal had been made or matured up to the present time for the issue of a new silver coinage, or the composition of that coinage. He understood that the Master of the Mint, who had great and deserved authority on all matters connected with his office, entertained certain views with respect to the best composition for silver coins, but he had not yet made any proposition to the Government on the subject.