§ SIR J. BAIN (Whitehaven)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his intention to exhibit the designs for the proposed new coinage to the Members of this House before issue; and whether it is intended to impress the value on all coins to be issued?
§ *THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover SquareThe value will be impressed on all coins with the exception of gold coins and crown pieces. Four shilling pieces will be withdrawn, so that no confusion can arise as between the four-shilling and five-shilling pieces. I do not propose to exhibit the designs of the new coinage to Members of the House.
§ MR. H. H. FOWLER (Wolverhampton, E.)When will they be issued?
§ *MR. GOSCHENI have not yet received the final Report. I do not see any necessity for putting the designs before Members of the House. The Committee appointed to examine the designs is an authoritative one, including Sir Frederick Leighton as representing Art, while the right hon. Baronet (Sir J. Lubbock) and others represent banking interests, including the Bank of England. I think the matter should be allowed to rest on the authority of the Committee and the responsibility of the Government. To put the designs before the House would probably lead to criticisms being expressed by a few, the great majority of those in favour of the designs not expressing any opinion at all.
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERWhen will they be put into circulation?
§ *MR. GOSCHENI hope the Mint will take the matter in hand immediately. Of course the dies have to be engraved and arrangements for manufacture will take some time.