HC Deb 12 May 1964 vol 695 cc199-200
6. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what decisions have now been reached about methods of disposing of redundant bank notes in Scotland and the provinces instead of sending them to London for pulping.

Mr. Maudling

Responsibility, so far as Bank of England notes are concerned, lies with the Bank of England, which advises me that local destruction by it would not appreciably increase security, and would be less efficient and more costly than the existing system.

Mr. Dempsey

Would not the Chancellor agree that this project is worth considering as, in view of recent experience, there is no guarantee that these types of redundant notes ever reach the south of England? Is it not the case that there was at one time a disposal unit operating in the City of Glasgow, and would he not agree that if there were one now it would provide additional employment in Scotland?

Mr. Maudling

I do not think that it would necessarily be the type of additional employment in Scotland that one would aim at. Bank notes cannot be destroyed until they have been examined by the Bank of England. Any notes coming to the provincial offices of the Bank of England are defaced before being sent to London for destruction.

Sir G. Nicholson

Is there any case known in history of a Scotsman destroying a bank note? [Laughter.]