§ Mr. Marplesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring up to date the figure of £348,330 which at 11th December, 1968 represented sales of gold coins under Statutory Instrument No. 438, 1966, to the members of the London Gold Market; and how far this figure indicates the effectiveness of this Statutory Instrument in bringing back into the public reserves the gold content of coins which have been illegally held since 27th April 1966.
§ Mr. Harold LeverSales of gold coins to the London Gold Market up to 30th June, 1969, stood at about £380,450. Total sales of gold coins under Statutory Instrument 438, 1966 (i.e. the Exchange Control (Gold Coins Exemption) Order 1966) are certain to be higher than this figure, for many such sales will have been effected through other authorised channels who have on-sold to non-residents or to authorised buyers resident in the United Kingdom. The main object of212W the Order, was to stop an unnecessary strain on our reserves. I am satisfied that it fulfils this purpose.