HC Deb 30 March 1971 vol 814 cc1347-8
26. Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the National Savings Bank is refusing to accept or issue a combination of a single ½p and a single 6d., even though they total a round unit; and if he will direct it to discontinue this practice.

Mr. Higgins

National Savings Bank deposits and withdrawals are normally made at post offices, and I understand that the Post Office instruction and general practice is to treat the sixpence as a working coin. If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind, he may like to send details to me or direct to the Post Office.

Mr. Finsberg

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that the joint stock banks are refusing to follow this practice and then, in the same breath, are hypocritically saying that no one wants the sixpence?

Mr. Higgins

That is a separate question. The general position is that there are adequate supplies of sixpences in the banks and they will provide sixpences on demand.

Mr. Barnett

Will the Minister of State confirm that it is an offence to refuse legal tender, whether it is a halfpenny or a sixpence?

Mr. Higgins

Clearly, the legal tender provisions also set limits on the circumstances in which these coins may be transmitted.

Sir J. Rodgers

Is my hon. Friend aware that there are many banks in my constituency that refuse to give sixpences even though all the parking meters take the sixpenny coin? Will he do something about it?

Mr. Higgins

That is not my understanding of the position. If my hon. Friend will give me further details I will look into it.