§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current value of(a) £5, (b) £10, (c) £20 and (d) £50 notes in circulation; and what is the estimated current face value of forged notes.
§ Mr. NelsonThe total value of Bank of England banknotes in circulation is published weekly in the bank return. The value of individual denominations was, at Wednesday 25 January 1995, £1,069 million for the £5; £5,362 million for the £10; £7,677 million for the £20; and £2,869 million for the £50.
The Bank of England, in common with most note-issuing authorities, does not publish details. of the counterfeit notes it receives. However, despite an increase in counterfeiting over the last few years, counterfeit notes detected still represent only a small fraction of 1 per cent. of the total notes in circulation