§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to permit the depiction by artists of currency in works of art; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ian StewartNo. In accordance with section 18 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, reproductions of bank notes require the prior authorisation of the Bank of England. These sensible provisions are intended to prevent reproductions being passed off as genuine bank notes. Decisions on whether or not approval should be given in individual cases are entirely a matter for the Bank of England.