§ 48. Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many five new penny pieces are in circulation at present; how many old one shilling pieces are in circulation at present; and what action he proposes to take, in view of the shortage of this coin, now that such a large number of machines are only able to take this coin.
§ Mr. HigginsThe numbers of five new penny pieces and one shilling pieces estimated to be in circulation are 90 million and 1,100 million, respectively. The Royal Mint and the banks have large stocks but they can only be got into active use if retailers will give shillings in change and draw them from the banks for this purpose. The coin is likely to be more widely used after Decimal Day.