§ 4. Mr. Dribergasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has now considered further the desirability of issuing a small five-shilling piece of silver; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd)I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 31st May.
§ Mr. DribergMay I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman, as Master of 178 the Mint—which I believe he is—whether he is aware that this proposal was made publicly some time ago by his Deputy-Master and that in his annual report, issued today, the Deputy-Master is able to say that it was "well received"—by everybody except the right hon. and learned Gentleman and his predecessor? What is the reason for the delay?
§ Mr. LloydI would not say that it had been badly received by me. It is an interesting suggestion, but the Deputy-Master of the Mint linked it with a number of other reforms in the currency and one must consider the whole lot together.