§ Mr. RAFFANasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any sums have been issued during the present financial year for the purchase by the Mint of bullion for purposes of coinage under Section 9 of -the Coinage Act, 1870; if so, what have been the amounts and average prices of any gold or silver so purchased; Whether any gold has been purchased by or on behalf of any other Government Department for the purposes of either coinage or reserve during this financial year; and, if so, what was the amount and what was the average price?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe amount issued to the Mint for bullion purchases in the current financial year is £1,100,000, practically all of which has been expended in purchases of silver bullion at an average price of 51 15/16d. per standard ounce. The Mint does not purchase gold. The answer to the third part. of the question is in the negative so far as the United Kingdom is concerned, and the last part consequently does not arise.