HC Deb 17 March 1953 vol 512 cc2049-50
30. Sir E. Keeling

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the fact that the sale of half a limited quantity of sets of Coronation gold coins might add to the dollar reserve more than the value of the gold, what other reasons he had for abandoning the 600-year-old tradition of this country as the leading producer of gold coins.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have nothing to add to the reply on this subject which my hon. Friend gave on 5th February.

Sir E. Keeling

As the Financial Secretary on another occasion gave reasons which were not confidential, may I ask the Chancellor whether he cannot repeat them because he does not think much of them?

Mr. Butler

No. I entirely support the Financial Secretary's reasons and could not improve on them myself.

Sir E. Keeling

Has my right hon. Friend any objection to my informing my hon. Friends, in confidence, of the Financial Secretary's reasons?

Mr. Butler

I do not know whether my hon. Friend was told something in confidence. If so, he must respect that confidence. If, on the other hand, he was not told in confidence, the question of confidence does not apply.

Sir E. Keeling

They were not given to me in confidence.