§ Sir W. Bromley-Davenportasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons have been prosecuted since 20th June, 1968, for failing to declare their holdings of gold coins as required by Statutory Instrument No. 438, 1966; how many persons have been convicted: on what dates; and with what sentences.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThere have been three prosecutions, involving four people, all leading to convictions: one on 18th September, one on 4th October (with appeal on 2nd December) and two on 21st November; fines were £50, £100 on appeal, £25 and £15, with costs in all cases, and with forfeiture of the coins concerned in all cases. Nearly 300 gold sovereigns and certain certain foreign coins were involved in these cases in total.
§ Sir B. Rhys Williamsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that the surrender of gold coins provisions of Statutory Instrument No. 438, 1966, have in general been complied with; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI have no reason to doubt that these provisions are generally being complied with. Unauthorised holdings are reported to the Treasury from time to time. I am satisfied that the Order fulfils a useful purpose.
§ Sir B. Rhys Williamsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many public officials in the Bank of England are currently employed full-time and part-time, respectively, in the Bank of England administering Statutory Instrument No. 438, 1966.
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§ Mr. Roy JenkinsSome three or four people are concerned either full-time or part-time in the administration of this measure.
Lord Hamiltonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the number of applications to hold gold coins under Statutory Instrument No. 438, 1966, which have been received by the Bank of England each month during 1968; and how many of these have been granted.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThe following is the information asked for:
1968 No. of applications January … … 192 February … … 219 March … … 282 April … … 312 May … … 285 June … … 166 July … … 201 August … … 189 September … … 168 October … … 222 November … … 238 Total … … 2,474 Applications allowed: 1,457.
Lord Hamiltonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will bring up to date the figure of £287,520 which at 14th March, 1968, represented sales of gold coins under Statutory Instrument No. 438, 1966, to the members of the London Gold Market.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsSales of gold coins to the London Gold Market up to 11th December, 1968 stood at about £348,330.
§ Mr. Longdenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the Government's policy to continue the practice of not asking the Director of Public Prosecutions, whose consent is necessary, to proceed against those who now make a voluntary disclosure of gold coins which they were under a legal obligation to disclose on 27th April, 1966, under Statutory Instrument No. 438, 1966.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThe Treasury is continuing for the time being the practice of not asking the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider whether to proceed against those who voluntarily disclose their holding of gold coins.