HC Deb 17 December 1981 vol 15 cc433-4
1. Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is yet in a position to announce the introduction of the new coins into the United Kingdom currency.

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. John Bruce-Gardyne)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 31 July to my hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Mr. Neubert) when it was announced that the 20p coin would be issued for general circulation in June 1982, and the £1 coin in April 1983.

Mr. Janner

As the value of the pound is falling rapidly day by day, what does the Minister expect to be the value of the pound coin by the time that it is issued and by the Christmas after that?

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

I hope that I can draw from that question the conclusion that the hon. and learned Gentleman will support the Government in their determination to bring inflation under better control.

Mr. Pawsey

Has my hon. Friend received any representations from the Automatic Vending Association of Britain, especially about the possibility of counterfeiting of the new coin?

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

I understand that the design of the new coin has been discussed with the manufacturers of vending machinery, who are satisfied with it at present. If my hon. Friend has any problems about that I hope that he will let me know.

Mr. James Lamond

Would it not be better to bring forward the introduction of the £1 coin as members of the public will need several of them when they pay their new Underground fares following the House of Lords decision?

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

I regret to have to tell the hon. Gentleman that the Royal Mint cannot introduce the coins any more swiftly than at present planned. They will be a convenience to the public when they come into circulation.

Mr. J. Enoch Powell

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Should not the custom of the House be preserved that Ministers answer questions from the Dispatch Box?

Mr. Speaker

That is our custom, and no doubt it will be followed.