HC Deb 13 May 1985 vol 79 c1145
9. Mr. Colvin

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many £2 coins are to be issued to commemorate the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh in 1986.

Mr. Hayhoe

As many as demand requires of the standard version, and decisions about the collectors' versions have yet to be taken.

Mr. Colvin

Is my hon. Friend aware that the issue of commemorative British postage stamps makes a substantial profit? Will the Treasury emulate the Post Office and issue on a more regular basis commemorative coinage which might, if profitable, compensate the British public for having to carry around in fast-wearing-out pockets these objectionable lumps of metal instead of the popular and far more practical bank notes?

Mr. Hayhoe

This commemorative issue will be widely welcomed. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has not ruled out the possibility of further commemorative issues. It is rather sad to muddle this matter up with the controversy about the £1 coin and the £1 note.

Mr. Ron Brown

Since the 1979 pound is now worth 55p in real terms, would it not be more realistic to issue a rubber £5 note so that the currency could stretch a little further?

Mr. Hayhoe

Certainly not. If the policies which the hon. Gentleman and his party espouse had been put into effect, the pound would have been worth a good deal less.