§ 2.42 p.m.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any statement to make as to their intention to introduce a system of decimal coinage in the United Kingdom.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, BOARD OF TRADE (LORD RHODES)No, my Lords. The Government are not yet in a position to make a statement.
§ LORD FRASER of LONSDALEMy Lords, is this not a matter which has very great technical merit? Also, is it not very much in tune with the technological reform and progress which Her Majesty's Government have declared they wish to see in Britain? Having regard to these factors, will Her Majesty's Government be able to make a statement before long?
§ LORD RHODESMy Lords, we are mindful of the issues that are involved here, but I would remind the noble Lord of the difficulties, because certain vital issues are still unresolved. For instance, the choice between 10s. and £1 as a unit was, as the noble Lord will know, a bone of contention in the Halsbury Committee upon which they divided 4 to 2. With regard to a further announcement, I can assure the noble Lord that the question will be examined, but I cannot say any more at this juncture.