§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he took to bring to the attention of elderly, blind and other disabled people the introduction of the new 20p coin; if there is any special action he plans to take in regard to publicising among such people the introduction of £1 coin; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Geoffrey Howe[pursuant to his reply, 12 July, c. 283]: Early in 1981 a number of organisations representing 497W the interests of elderly, blind and other disabled people were consulted about the proposed specifications for the 20p and £1 coins. These included the Royal National Institute for the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind in the United Kingdom, St. Dunstans, the National League of the Blind and Disabled, the Rheumatism and Arthritis Association, the Spastics Society, the Muscular Dystrophy Group, Age Concern and Help the Aged.
In addition, the new coins received wide publicity. Several radio programmes, including a number of special broadcasts for the blind, carried interviews about the proposed 20p coin. These broadcasts led to direct contacts with interested local groups. Similar publicity is planned when the £1 coin is introduced next year and it is hoped to extend the range of contacts then.