§ Mr. Skeetasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates to be the approximate cost of replacing the existing coinage with coins made of a plastic material; and the cost advantage likely to be derived in the manufacture thereof over conventional coins, taking into consideration the need to prevent counterfeiting.
§ Mr. BarberThe effect on the cost of manufacture would be one of the many factors to be considered in any examination of the possibility of changing the materials from which coins are made. My right hon. Friend has no estimates relating to the manufacture of coins from plastic materials, and no present plans for making them.