HC Deb 01 February 1967 vol 740 cc120-1W
Mr. Cant

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in appointing members of the Decimal Currency Board.

Mr. Callaghan

The following have accepted my invitationSir William Fiske, C.B.E. (Chairman). Lord Errol of Hale, P.C. (Deputy Chairman). The Earl of Halsbury, Chairman, Committee of Inquiry on Decimal Currency, 1961–63. Mr. J. G. Bothwell, O.B.E., General Secretary, Transport Salaried Staffs Association. Mr. P. H. Dixon, Executive Director, British Tissues Ltd. Mrs. E. M. Dodds, Member of the Board of Co-operative Wholesale Society. Mr. B. W. Goodman, Vice-Chairman and Assistant Managing Director of Marks and Spencer Ltd. Mr. E. J. N. Warburton, C.B.E., Vice-Chairman, Lloyds Bank Ltd. Mr. J. H. Wiggins, Editor, South Wales Echo.

As I said in my reply to my hon. Friend on 12th December, the Board's functions will be to examine in detail the problems of the changeover including consultation as appropriate with interested parties, to promote the speedy and efficient transition to the use of a decimal currency, to organise a programme of guidance to the public, and to examine any claims for compensation (within the Government's broad policy on the subject) and to make recommendations thereon.

Mr. Milne

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from trade organisations regarding the proposed introduction of decimal currency; if he will publish a list of these bodies indicating their views on the subject and if he will make a further

Organisation Summary of views
Amusement Caterers' Association … Favour 10s. system.
Association of British Chambers of Commerce Favour of 10s. system.
The Automatic Vending Machine Association … Favour 10s. system and compensation for replacement or conversion of machine equipment.
Bridlington and District Chamber of Trade … Favour 10s. system.
Business Equipment Trade Association … Requested representation of the Association on the Decimal Currency Board.
Confederation of British Industry … No firm counter-proposals to £ new penny-½ system which does not achieve true decimalisation. Refer to noticeable shift in opinion in favour of 10s. system and stress that a strong body of opinion is in favour of retaining a half-penny equivalent.
Retail Decimal Committee, (consisting of representatives from: Favour 10s. system and compensation for replacement or conversion of business machines.
Co-operative Union Parliamentary Committee
Drapers' Chamber of Trade
Multiple Shop Federation
National Chamber of Trade
Retail Distributors' Association
Economic Development Committee for the Distributive Trades Favour 10s. new penny ½ system.
The Municipal Passenger Transport Association Disturbed that the £ instead of the 10s. system adopted.
National Association of Goldsmiths of Great Britain and Ireland Favour 10s. system.
National Association of Master Bakers, Confectioners and Caterers Favour 10s. system.
National Association of Retail Furnishers … Favour 10s. system.
National Grocers' Federation … Favour 10s. system and compensation for replacement or conversion of business machines.
The Public Transport Association … Regret decision to adopt £ instead of 10s. system but welcome a definite decision.
The Reading Chamber of Commerce and Trade Favour 10s. system.
The Stationers' Association of Great Britain and Ireland Favour 10s. system.
The Supermarket Association … Favour 10s. system.
Typewriter and Allied trades Federation … Requested consultation with the Federation regarding provisions in any future Decimal Currency Bill.