HC Deb 17 April 1956 vol 551 cc839-40
43. Mr. K. Thompson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will arrange for the minting of groats.

44. Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the increase to 4d. of call-box telephone calls and the inconvenience to the public in having the requisite number of coins available, he will reintroduce the fourpenny groat.

51. Mr. Collins

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now consider the minting of fourpenny pieces.

Mr. H. Brooke

The addition of a further coin denomination to those already in use would be attended by various practical difficulties, and it would complicate the giving of change and checking of accounts. I would therefore prefer to await evidence that there is serious need for a groat.

Mr. Thompson

Does not my right hon. Friend consider that it would be a very great convenience, in many ways, to have 4d. pieces in circulation, particularly if we could have a lot of them?

Mr. Chetwynd

As under this Government's policies 4d. now only has the value of 3d. could not the right hon. Gentleman transfer the 3d. bit to a 4d. bit? Would not that get over his difficulties?

Mr. Brooke

I think that that might complicate matters still further.

Mr. Collins

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether his decision has been influenced by the belief that, owing to this Government's policy, before the coins could be minted the minimum charge for a telephone call would be 6d.?