§ Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total number of Elizabeth II sovereigns minted since 14th March, 1968; what proportion of these coins have been exported; and what have been the total proceeds of these sales.
§ Mr. Harold Lever4,703,000 sovereigns have been minted this year to complete a programme agreed some two years ago. They have gone to augment the nation's gold reserve in the Exchange Equalisation Account. It is not the practice to disclose details of the operation of that Account.
205WAs signatories of the Washington agreement, we do not sell gold to the free market.