3. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the white £5 note will cease to be legal tender after 13th March, he will ask the Bank of England to make the next issue of a £5 note a white one instead of the present blue one.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydNo, Sir.
Mr. Gresham CookeWhen my right hon. and learned Friend is discussing this matter with the Governor of the Bank of England, will he point out that the white £5 note has been in circulation for over 150 years, since 1793, that it has been universally respected throughout the world and that it would be a great thing for the currency of this country to reintroduce it?
§ Mr. LloydI note that my hon. Friend is aware that the design of bank notes is a matter for the Bank of England. I am also told that because of the need to provide the maximum protection against forgery it is unlikely that the Bank will find it possible to reintroduce black on white notes.
§ Mr. BenceIs the Chancellor aware that the Scottish £1 note, of excellent design, is blue and that sometimes it is mistaken for the present English £5 note? Will he bear that in mind?