HC Deb 11 March 1969 vol 779 cc243-5W
35. Mr. Roebuck

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he is aware that the 2¼-inch diameter Prince of Wales Investiture medals in both silver and gilt bronze issues were sold out by 28th February; whether he will state the manner in which orders were executed on behalf of his Department by Spink and Son Limited; and in how many cases one person, firm or company received more than one medal.

Mr. Mellish

Yes. The number of silver medals to be minted had been over-subscribed by 13th February. At this stage it was decided to stop accepting further orders for the silver medal and allot the medals by ballot amongst those whose orders had already been received. As part of normal trading arrangements 28 firms and companies concerned with medal retailing are being allocated more than one medal.

36. Mr. Roebuck

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what arrangements he has made with Spink and Son Limited for the sale of Prince of Wales Investiture medals.

Mr. Mellish

At the request of the Welsh Office the Department accepted responsibility for commissioning the Royal Mint to produce medals to commemorate the Investiture of H.R.H. Prince Charles as Prince of Wales and to arrange for their sale through Spink & Son Ltd., and at some of our ancient monuments. Spink and Son Ltd. have been dealing with orders and requests from the general public, coin dealers and banks.

Mr. Roebuck

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the persons, firms and companies who have been allocated more than five Prince of Wales Investiture medals.

Mr. Loughlin

No individuals have been allocated more than five 2¼ inch Prince of Wales Investiture medals. Out of 1,500 2¼ inch silver medals and 3,000 gilt-bronze medals some 250 silver medals and 360 gilt-bronze medals have been allocated amongst 28 firms and companies who deal in coins. In the circumstances there seems little point in listing the firms and companies concerned. The allocation of the additional 7,500 I¾ inch silver medals is not yet completed.

Mr. Roebuck

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will make a statement about the medals he has authorised the Royal Mint to strike in connection with the Investiture of the Prince of Wales.

Mr. Loughlin

At the request of the Welsh Office The Department accepted the responsibility for commissioning the Royal Mint to produce medals to commemorate the Investiture of H.R.H. Prince Charles as Prince of Wales and to arrange for their sale through Spink & Son Ltd., (medallists to the Queen) and at some of our Ancient Monuments. After discussion with Spink & Son Ltd., it was agreed that 1,500 2¼-inch silver medals would be struck, 3,000 2¼-inch gilt-bronze medals, and an unlimited number of 1¼-inch bright bronze medals. The medals will be available in June.

It was originally agreed that 1,000 silver, 2,000 gilt-bronze and 4,500 bright bronze medals would be sold by Spink & Son Ltd., and the balance would go on sale at our monuments at the time of the Investiture. As a result of the unprecedented publicity the announcement of the issue received, it rapidly became apparent that the issue of silver and gilt-bronze medals would be oversubscribed within a very few days. It was decided that all these medals would be allocated immediately, and to satisfy public demand arrangements have now been made for a further 7,500 1¾-inch silver medals to be struck.