11. Mr. DOYLEasked the Secretary of State for India if he will give the number of two-anna, four-anna, and eight-anna silver coins issued during the past twelve 1765 months and the number for the twelve months preceding the War, and the weight of silver used in their coinage; and if he is considering the advisability and necessity of extending the nickel coinage to include at least the lower classes, in order to free the silver position to some extent?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Indian Coinage Act has been amended so as to permit the issue of nickel coins of eight and four annas denomination as well as the existing two-and one-anna nickel. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the latest information regarding the coinage of fractional silver coins. The coinage has been on a relatively small scale.
§ The following is the information promised:
§ Separate figures are not available for recent months, but for the year ending 31st August last the total, value of silver eight annas, four annns, and two annas coined was Rs. 2,35,97,748, and their total weight 8,111,725 finis ounces. For the year 1913–14 the silver fractional coinage was as follows (tale of pieces):
| 8 | As. | 4,558,200 |
| 4 | as. | 20,635,238 |
| 2 | As. | 22,200,975 |