§ Mr. Robert Cookeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons have been prosecuted since 13th February, 1969 for failing to declare their holdings of gold coins as required by Statutory Instrument No. 438, 1966; and how many persons have been convicted, on what dates, and with what sentences and in respect of what number and types of coins in each case.
§ Mr. William RodgersStrictly speaking offences do not arise on failure to declare but in respect of buying, selling and holding gold coins without Treasury permission. There have been two prosecutions in respect of such offences under the Exchange Control Act, 1947, since 13th February, 1969. The first took place on 29th October and involved one person and the sentence was a fine of £250. The coins in this case were 46 sovereigns and 46 half sovereigns. The second was on 18th November and involved one person and the sentence was a fine of £50. The coins in this case were 43 sovereigns.