§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHasked Her Majesty's Government:
What would be the estimated saving to public funds if the ½p coin was demonetised.
§ Lord COCKFIELDMinting the ½p coin is still an economic proposition which yields a small benefit to the Exchequer. Although there might be some saving to public funds from the recovery of metal if the coin were to be demonetised, no estimate can be made of the amount since this would depend on the number of coins at present in the hands of banks and members of the public returned to the Royal Mint.