§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to issue a special coin to commemorate Great Britain's accession to the European Communities on 1st January 1973.
§ Mr. NottYes. Her Majesty The Queen has today made a Proclamation under the Coinage Act 1971 determining designs for a 50p coin to be issued to commemorate this occasion. Examples will be placed in the Library after the Christmas Recess. Meantime photographs of the design will be on display in the Library.
It is proposed to strike two versions. both in cupro-nickel. One will be of ordinary coinage standard and will be issued through the banks to meet demand for 50p coins required for normal circulation. The other will be a proof coin individually packed as a collectors' item in presentation cases bearing a Fanfare for Europe emblem and sold by the Royal Mint Numismatic Bureau in Edinburgh. Information on how to obtain these proof coins will be announced in the Press in the New Year. Neither version will be available until several weeks into the New Year.