HC Deb 05 June 1930 vol 239 c2381
71. Sir CHARLES OMAN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, considering that the price of silver has now fallen to 1s. 5d. per ounce, about one-fifth of its price in 1920, and that no appreciable profit can be made by selling worn Victorian and Edwardian silver currency as bullion, he will consider the advisability of recoining the withdrawn currency at the old rate of purity abandoned 10 years ago?

Mr. P. SNOWDEN

I do not feel able to adopt this suggestion.

Sir C. OMAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman not having to spend a great deal of money on mixing pure silver with alloy in the new coins, owing to technical difficulties, while by melting down what is coming in to him of the old right ancient standard coinage of before 1920 he would not have to perform these chemical operations at all?

Mr. SNOWDEN

The advice of the practical men at the Mint does not agree with the views of the hon. Member.