AUSTRALIAN SILVER COINAGE.

HC Deb 15 May 1916 vol 82 c1134

29. Mr. PRIMROSE

asked whether Australian silver coinage is legal tender in Great Britain?

Mr. McKENNA

The answer is in the negative.

Mr. PRIMROSE

Is it possible for the right hon. Gentleman to make some arrangement, in view of the presence of so many Australian troops in this country?

Mr. McKENNA

As my hon. Friend knows, there is a very large profit on the coinage of silver, and I think that the Government which gets the profit should confine the circulation of the silver to its own area.

Mr. PRIMROSE

Is there not a very great profit in the purchases of the Australian troops?

Mr. McKENNA

Yes, but I do not think that one matter can be set off against the other.