§ Lord BURGHLEY(by Private Notice) asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to take steps to stop the purchase of gold coin from private people at a premium with a view to its export?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe residue of sovereigns and other gold coin in private hands cannot, even on the most liberal estimate, be large enough to require special legislation making transactions of this kind illegal. But I take the opportunity of saying that people who possess gold coins can best serve the public interest, not by selling them, but by paying them in to a bank or post office with a view to their transmission to the Bank of England.
§ Mr. LOGANWhat action, if any, will be taken against people who accept the offer which has been advertised of 27s. 6d. for each golden sovereign?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWith regard to the question of the sovereign going back into the Bank of England, I want to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what benefit 659 that will be to the average member of the working classes, seeing that the Bank of England is a privately-owned concern?
§ Mr. LOGANIs it not a fact that, if a private individual buys golden sovereigns of the realm to melt them, he is liable to imprisonment or a heavy fine, and why is it that it is allowed that a public office can advertise and buy gold coins which they require for no other purpose than for melting?