§ 13. Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether the Government of India has any intention to try again to press sovereigns into active circulation in India as was attempted in 1900; and has he official knowledge of any country, with the exception of Egypt, where the principal medium of currency is gold coins?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSNo change is contemplated in the present policy of providing, as far as possible, the forms of currency for which there is a demand. As regards the second part of the question, the Secretary of State has no reason to doubt the correctness of paragraph 59 of the Report of the Royal Commission on Indian Finance and Currency.
§ Colonel BURNIs the hon. Gentleman aware that gold coinage is not current in India owing to the natives hoarding it up?
§ Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that gold mohurs are not current coin in India?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSI should like notice of that.
§ 14. Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give the number of light sovereigns and half-sovereigns returned from India to the Mint of London since 1899?
§ Mr. C. ROBERTSThe sum of £2,597,658 has been returned. The amounts in sovereigns and half-sovereigns respectively have not been recorded separately on all occasions.
§ Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONCan the hon. Gentleman give any idea of the cost of freight and insurance on those sovereigns and half-sovereigns?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of that question.