§ Lord GainfordMy 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 how many special commemorative £1 coins are to be minted to mark the introduction of the new metallic pound.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Trefgarne)My Lords, three types of commemorative £1 coins are to be minted to mark the introduction of the new metallic pound: there will be a silver proof piedforte with a limit of 10,000 pieces; there will be a sterling silver proof version of the same diameter and weight as the circulation piece with a limit of 50,000 pieces; and there will be a base metal proof version included in sets of other United Kindom coins with a limit of 125,000 sets.
§ Lord GainfordMy Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for that interesting Answer. Can he please tell me whether there is any estimation of what value will be placed on these coins by future coin collectors? Is there any risk of the coins being confused with other coins already in circulation? From the consideration of the value of money as it is at the moment, is there any danger now of the "quid" becoming a "bob"?
§ Lord TrefgarneMy Lords, I hope that the coins will appreciate in value on the collectors' market after they have been issued, but I am referring of course to these commemorative issues. As to the other point that my noble friend makes, I should tell your Lordships that I have a pound in my pocket. There it is, and I hope it will not be confused with anything.
§ Lord LeatherlandMy Lords, would the Minister make it possible for these coins to be distributed to Members of this House on the basis of one of each specimen to every Member, so that we may pronounce our opinion upon them?
§ Lord TrefgarneMy Lords, if the noble Lord likes to send me his order with his cheque I shall be happy to see that he gets one.