§ Mr. Charles Morrisonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the number of sovereigns minted in 1967, showing also the number which were exported, and state the sterling value, at present prices, of the gold content of each.
§ Mr. Harold Lever6,650,000 sovereigns were minted in 1967; the sterling value of their gold content at the current market price is just under £23 million. New sovereigns go to augment the stock in the nation's gold reserves, from which they are released as necessary to meet overseas demand, which would otherwise be met by counterfeiters. They are sold at the current market price. It is not the practice to disclose the number.