§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he made of the requirement for slot machines to be adapted before announcing that the demonetisation of the old 5p piece will take place on 31 December.
§ Mr. MaplesEvery effort has been made to consult the vending industry to minimise the problems it will424W experience. Companies were given test coins and two and a half years notice so that they could plan sensibly and reprogramme their machines as far as possible on the normal maintenance cycle.
The demonetisation date for the old 5p coin was first announced by the Chancellor at the Trial of the Pyx on 27 April 1990. This gave the vending industry eight months to prepare for the change. Most vending machines have now been converted to accept the new 5p coin.