12. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the comparative superfluity of florins and sixpences and shortage of shillings, he will arrange for more shillings to be minted.
§ Mr. du CannAdditional supplies of shillings have been put into circulation in the last six months and it is planned to mint further supplies in the second half of this year.
Mr. Gresham CookeWould my hon. Friend encourage the Mint to double or treble the number of shillings minted, because there is a real shortage of them? Is my hon. Friend aware that they are residing in gas meters, electricity meters, parking meters and so on, and will he remind himself from time to time to look in his pocket, where he will find only florins and sixpences?
§ Mr. du CannIn the first six months of 1963 50 million shillings were issued, and in the second half it is planned to mint another 30 million. This compares with an annual average of 40 million. I hope that my hon. Friend will see that his point is largely being met by the fact that we got through last winter, after taking special precautions, with only a very small volume of complaints. I think the Royal Mint deserves great credit for that.