§ MR. BECKETT (York, N.R., Whitby)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the great public inconvenience which is caused by the superabundance of florins and the comparative scarcity of half-crowns and shillings (especially of the latter) now in circulation; and whether he will issue such instructions to the Mint as may be necessary to bring their relative proportions more into conformity with popular requirements?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTNo florins have been issued from the Mint for circulation in the United Kingdom since December, 1890, except a small sum (£2,000) forwarded to Ireland in July, 1891. From January, 1891, to December, 1892, no less than £501,400 in half-crowns and £369,400 in shillings were issued. In addition to the stock held at the Mint, £72,000 in half-crowns and £203,000 in shillings ready for issue are lying at the Bank of England, in addition to a very large amount of mixed coin, and can be obtained by bankers on application. With regard to the second part of the question, I would point out to the hon. Member that the Government have little power of determining what class of coins shall circulate. This is determined by the public themselves. The Bank of England, which acts in this matter for the Mint, delivers to all bankers, or their other customers, silver coins of such denominations as they ask for. If any person suffers inconvenience from the deficiency of any particular class of coin, all he has to do is to ask his bankers to supply them. As I pointed out in the first part of my answer, a large number of half-crowns and shillings are now lying ready for issue at the Mint and the Bank of England, if the public will only ask for them.
§ MR. FORWOOD (Lancashire, Ormskirk)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that country bankers charge one-eighth cent. on applications for these coins?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTThe hon. Member must settle that with the Member who asked me the question.