§ 3.5 p.m.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first 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 regards the decimalisation of the currency.]
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I regret that I cannot add to what my noble friend Lord Rhodes said on November 10, 1964.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, is it not grievously disappointing that Her Majesty's Government cannot make up their minds about this matter? Does it not cost more every year it is delayed? Did not this Government proclaim their belief in modernisation, and is it not time they made a decision in this most practicable and important matter?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, this Government certainly believe in modernisation. We also believe that what the noble Lord has in mind is most desirable. It is, however, a complex matter, and we must follow a system of priorities. We had considerable difficulties. This matter is being considered, and we hope that in the not too far distant future we shall be able to give a more satisfactory reply.
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that I made an almost identical reply to my noble friend Lord Fraser of Lonsdale seven times in the last five years? Could we not now try to improve on that?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I think that my excuse is infinitely better than that of the noble Earl. His Party was in office for thirteen years; this Government has been in office for six months.
§ LORD BYERSMy Lords, will the noble Lords please give an undertaking that one of these two Parties will, in the near future, do something about this most important matter?
§ VISCOUNT AMORYMy Lords, will the Government bear in mind that about five years ago, when I was at the Treasury, I took the first bold step in this direction by abolishing the farthing, which I was told opened the way to the solution of the whole matter? May I ask him to appreciate how much I regret that the operation has not been completed?
§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, is it not a fact that a similar reason to that given by the noble Lord this afternoon was given by Mr. Gladstone?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I am afraid that my memory does not go back as far as that.
§ LORD BLYTONMy Lords, can the noble Lord say whether we should have decimalisation of the currency to prepare us for joining the Common Market?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I think that is quite another question.