HL Deb 04 May 1820 vol 1 cc85-6
Lord King

rose to move for an account of the market Price of Silver, with the view of ascertaining whether it was not under the Mint price. He thought it very necessary that their Lordships attention should be directed to this subject; for if it should appear, as he believed would be found to be the case, that the market price of silver was less than the Mint price, that would be a proof that the currency was debased. The only rule for ascertaining this fact, was a comparison of the price of the precious metals; for a comparison with paper afforded no means of judging. It appeared that the Bank bought gold at the rate of about 3l. 17s. 10d., but they did not purchase silver, though it was cheaper in the market than at the Mint. The currency of the country was, however, in consequence of this difference of price, raised beyond its real value. It was their lordships duty to guard against the inconvenience of a variable standard. They must recollect what had been the consequence some years ago of the currency having been depreciated, and now the country was suffering in precisely the opposite direction by its rising. He might appeal to the evidence taken on the late investigation relative to the Bank, to show that the Mint price of silver was not in proportion to that of gold; but his object was, to obtain a return of the market price, in order to compare it with that of the Mint, and he believed it would be found that the former was 1½d. per ounce below the latter, being a depreciation of about H per cent. He concluded by moving that there be laid before the House an account of the present market price of silver—Ordered.

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