§ 20. Mr. TOUCHEasked what action it is proposed to take in respect of the recommendations of the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into matters affecting the currency of the British West African Colonies and Protectorates?
Mr. HARCOURTThe recommendations of the Committee were accepted, and a Currency Board has been constituted and has held several meetings. The design of the new coins has been approved and specimens have been for some time open to the inspection of hon. Members in the Tea Room of this House and I had hoped to have received the hon. Members' congratulations on my design. The Royal Mint is now making the necessary arrangements for the minting of the coin. It has been decided to postpone the note issue, recommended by the Committee, until the new coinage has had time to prove itself successful.
§ Mr. TOUCHEIs the actual coinage not yet begun, and are there not grave and economic objections to the proposal of the Departmental Committee, which do not appear to have been fully considered; and will the right hon. Gentleman abstain from imposing on this Colony the Cæsars of the Colonial Office until there has been time for further consideration.
Mr. HARCOURTI gather that there has been some objections, but I do not regard them as either grave or economic, and there is no intention in my mind to give further time for consideration.