HC Deb 22 August 1916 vol 85 cc2461-2
17. Mr. COWAN

asked the chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the unpopularity of £1 Treasury notes in Scotland; whether he is aware that this is largely due to their small size and to the thinness of the paper upon which they are printed, which render them unsuitable for payment of wages where a number of coins have to be wrapped up inside the note; and whether,, to overcome these objections, he will consider the desirability of increasing the size-of these notes and printing them upon paper such as is used by the Scottish banks for their note issues.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. McKenna)

The issue of notes of a new design and slightly larger size is now under consideration.

Mr. COWAN

Would not the new notes-be on stronger paper?

Mr. McKENNA

I cannot say anything as to the paper on which the new notes-are to be printed.

Mr. COWAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman familiar with the copied bank notes?

Mr. McKENNA

I have seen and admired them.

Mr. KING

Has not this matter been, under consideration for the past six months? Will it be still under consideration six months hence?

Mr. McKENNA

It has been at least six-months under consideration, but I hope that it will not be so for six months longer.

Mr. KING

Can we have a definite assurance that there will be some time limit to this consideration?

Mr. McKENNA

No. I am extremely sorry, but we have to find a note that will defy the forger, and after every successive; effort which we have made we have discovered that it was still possible to forge. The difficulties consequently are enormous, but I hope that they will be overcome very soon now.

Mr. HOUSTON

Are Scotch forgers more efficient than English forgers?

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