HC Deb 04 May 1948 vol 450 c1087
45. Air-Commodore Harvey

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, with a view to economy, he will consider introducing £2 Treasury notes.

46. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will issue Treasury Notes of the value of £2 and £3 to minimise the counting of large numbers of £1 notes, especially by banks, and for the convenience of the public generally.

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Glenvil Hall)

No, Sir.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that if he adopted the suggestion it would save a lot of paper and would lessen black market deals?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Yes, but it would require legislation. It would take a long time to elaborate the designs, and the shape would have to be different. We have now standardised the printing of notes to a very high degree.

Mr. Freeman

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it is convenient to have a variety of coins, and does not the same apply to £1 notes?

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Would it not be more beneficial to make the present £1 notes really worth £1?

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