45. Mr. PERCYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed shortly gradually to re-introduce the circulation of gold coinage?
§ Sir R. HORNEI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a question on the 9th February asked by the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. N. Maclean). I should not care to prophesy 557 how soon the state of the exchanges will permit of a full restoration of the gold standard in this country, but in any case I hope that, when that time comes, the community will recognise both the superior convenience of paper money over gold coin and the desirability in the general interest of economising in the use of gold as currency.
§ 49. Mr. GILBERTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to withdraw the present silver coinage and to return to the pre-War standard of silver coinage, in view of the great reduction in the price of silver; and when it is possible for such a change to come into effect?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe answer to the first part is in the negative, and the second part, therefore, does not arise.