§ 3.25 p.m.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD HAILSHAM OF ST. MARYLEBONE)My Lords, I rise to move the Second Reading of this Bill. As your Lordships will see, the Law Commission's Report proposes three minor amendments to the law about coinage. This is not altogether surprising, since the law about coinage was last consolidated almost exactly 100 years ago. The first amendment repeals a power which has never been exercised, to introduce foreign coins into cur current coinage by Proclamation. Much as one may be attracted to the Maria Theresa dollar as an alternative to the 50p piece, your Lordships may think that we do not actually need the power which is to be removed.
The second amendment would repeal a provision, regarded as obsolete at the time of the Coinage Act 1870, requiring individuals to damage underweight gold coins and other coins when recalled, upon which the loss falls on the person tendering the coin to the damager. This has no practical present-day application and its repeal is proposed. The third amendment will make a difference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Instead of being, as he is now, Master, Worker and Warden of Her Majesty's Royal Mint in England, and Governor of the Mint in Scotland, he will in future be simply the Master of the Mint. That is the third 648 amendment. My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ LORD GARDINERMy Lords, the Opposition welcome this Bill and the amendments proposed. I say no more than that I hope the House will give the Bill a speedy Second Reading in order that we may pass as soon as possible to somewhat less uncontroversial matters.
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills.