§ Mr. MELLERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the British Mint authorities prepare and supply to His Majesty's printing contractors stamp plates for postage stamp printing: if so, was this concession offered to other tenderers for the contract; and if he will state the number of 10s. and 20s. notes printed in their present form up to the 31st December, 1924?
1865W
Mr. GUINNESSThe Post Office supplies free of expense to the contractor the plates required for printing postage stamps; this is a condition of the contract and was clearly stated in all the invitations to tender. The plates are prepared at the Mint. The number of £1 currency notes of the present design issued up to the 31st December, 1924, was 2,224,000,000 and of 10s. notes, 948,000,000.