§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he received a communication from the hon. Member for West Ham, North, giving details of the waste of money, neglect and maladministration resultant upon the removal of the Mint from Tower Hill to Wales; and whether he will publish in HANSARD a detailed reply to the various points as contained in the submitted document.
§ Mr. HigginsThis letter was received on 5th February and the hon. Member394W will have received a detailed reply. I do not propose to publish this in the OFFICIAL REPORT; but take this opportunity to rebut publicly the allegations conveyed by the Question.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish in HANSARD a full and comprehensive list giving the amounts and dates of cupro-nickel coins rejected from Wales to Tower Hill in pounds or tons, or on a cash basis; and how these figures of rejects compare with any equal stated period of time for production at Tower Hill prior to the move to Wales.
§ Mr. HigginsDuring the 17 months from April, 1968, to August, 1969, 8,413 tons of cupro-nickel coins were struck at Tower Hill, of which 252 tons or 2.7 per cent. were rejected.
Striking of cupro-nickel coin at Llantrisant began in September, 1969. During the 17 months from September, 1969, to January, 1971, 5,842 tons were struck at Tower Hill, of which 145 tons or 2.5 per cent. were rejected. The corresponding figures at Llantrisant for this period are 2,293 tons, 39 tons and 1.7 per cent. respectively.