§ Mr. BIGLANDasked the Under-Secretary of State for India how much silver bullion in fine ounces was coined at the Indian mints during the last calendar year into rupees or sub-divisions and into British dollars or sub-divisions, respectively; at whose instance these dollars are coined, and what per ounce is their issue price, or what is the seignorage; and if there is any publication available which gives the Indian mint statistics since 1893?
§ Mr. HAROLD BAKERThe figures for calendar years are not available. The amount of silver coined in 1911–12 at the Indian mints was as follows:—
The British dollars were coined at the requisition of banks. There is no "issue price," since the mint merely coin the silver tendered to them by banks, and issue the dollars to the banks, charging 2 per cent, for the work done. Some statistics of the Indian mints will be found in the Statistical Abstract of British India, 1009-10 (Cd. 6017). More detailed statistics, and extending over a longer period will be found in "Statistics of British India, Part IV. A (Finance and Revenue)" for 1909–10, purchasable from the agents for the sale of books published by the Indian authorities. A new edition for 1910–11 will shortly be obtainable. The yearly Reports of the Administration of the Mints at Calcutta and Bombay can be obtained through the same channel. The latest is the Report for 1911–12.
— Standard ounces. Equivalent in fine ounces. Whole rupees, new nil. nil. Whole rupees, recoined. 9,107,934 8,424,839 ½, ¼, ⅛ rupees, new nil. nil. ½, ¼, ⅛ rupees, recoined. 405,829 375,391 British dollars 31,596,753 29,226,997