§ SIR JOHN LUBBOCKasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether 467 his attention has been called to the largo proportion of light sovereigns now in circulation; and, whether Her Majesty's Government propose to take any steps in the matter?
MR. GLADSTONESir, the hon. Baronet asked me a Question on this important subject in the first Session of the present Parliament. I was then obliged to point out that the question of the site of the Mint was in so unsettled a state as to render it impossible to enter into any particulars, or to hold out any definite prospects on the subject. Since that time the site of the Mint has been determined, and the works necessary for the extension of its power and machinery are now in rapid progress. I am not, however, encouraged to hope that the Mint will be able to resume gold coinage before the close of the present year, after which time I hope its energy and resources will be devoted in the direction indicated in the Question of my hon. Friend.