HC Deb 11 November 1976 vol 919 cc252-3W
Mr. Neubert

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what, in terms of old pence, was the value at Decimalisation Day and what is the value now of the following coins in current usage; halfpenny, penny, twopence, two and a half pense (sixpence), five pence (shilling), and 10 pence (florin).

Mr. Denzil Davies

Between February 1971 and September 1976 it is estimated that the internal purchasing power of the United Kingdom's domestic currency fell by 52 per cent. The basis for this estimate is given in the leaflet "The Internal Purchasing Power of the Pound", obtainable from the Press and Information Service of the Central Statistical Office.

Taking the coins listed by the hon. Member as equal to their face value in February 1971, their equivalent purchasing power, expressed in old pence, in September 1976 was 0.6, 1.2, 2.3, 2.9, 5.8 and 11.5 respectively.