§ 57. Mr. GILBERTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the arrangement entered into with the Russian Government for the coinage of money at the Mint; will he state what is the amount of coins to be minted here; whether the British Government supply the silver; whether the Russian Government pay to the Mint the full cost of the work; and whether any profit on the transaction is made by the Treasury?
§ Mr. SNOWDENThe Royal Mint are striking 40,000,000 silver half-rouble or "poltinnik "coins for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics from bullion which has been purchased by the Soviet Union. The agreed charges for manufacture are based on the charges made for analogous coinages struck at the Mint for Colonial or foreign Governments, and allow of a fair profit to the Mint. The manufacturing charges are met by the Soviet Union on each shipment of five million pieces, half in advance, and half on delivery in Russia.
§ Mr. GILBERTIs the ordinary staff of the Mint being employed, or have extra men been pint on to do the work?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI cannot pledge myself, but as far as I know the ordinary staff of the Mint are quite capable of doing the work.