§ MR. L. FRY (Bristol, N.)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, What was the amount of bronze coins issued by the Mint in the year 1887, as compared with 1886; whether he has received any information or complaints of a glut of such coinage existing in any localities to the loss and inconvenience of traders; and, whether, if there is ground for any such complaints, he will temporarily suspend the issue of bronze coins, so as to adjust the circulation to the requirements of the public?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN) (St. George's, Hanover Square)The amount of bronze coin issued in 1887 was £57,680, as against £42,610 in the preceding year. For many years past the issue of bronze coin has been suspended in districts in which a redundancy has been reported to the Mint. During 11 months of the year 1887 applicants for pence in London were referred to firms of brewers who held a surplus stock of this coin; and the issue of pence and halfpence was frequently suspended in certain Northern districts, where banking firms undertook to meet the local demands. Since February last, again, applicants for pence and halfpence residing in the North of England have been referred to a Liverpool firm who hold a considerable surplus stock. The occasions on which the issue of bronze coin was suspended in different districts were more numerous in 1886 than in 1887.