Scottish £ Notes

Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 14 December 1965.

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Photo of Mr James Dempsey Mr James Dempsey , Coatbridge and Airdrie 12:00, 14 December 1965

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to prohibit the exchange of Scottish £ notes in England for less than £1.

Photo of Mr James Callaghan Mr James Callaghan The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Member, Labour Party National Executive Committee

No, Sir. I do not know of any Scotsman who would accept less than 20s. for a £.

Photo of Mr James Dempsey Mr James Dempsey , Coatbridge and Airdrie

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Scotsmen in certain parts of England, particularly Manchester and Birmingham, have no option but to accept 19s. 6d. for the Scottish £ because that is all they get; and has the recent case been drawn to his attention of a Service man who was refused the right to spend two Scottish £ notes in a Naafi in Malaya on the ground that they were worthless; and will——

Photo of Dr Horace King Dr Horace King , Southampton, Itchen

Order. Even if the Scottish £ is short, the Question must also be short.

Photo of Mr James Dempsey Mr James Dempsey , Coatbridge and Airdrie

The fact is that these Scottish £ notes have to be given away more or less as matters of local interest as souvenirs.

Photo of Dr Horace King Dr Horace King , Southampton, Itchen

Order. I think the Chancellor is seized of the Question.

Photo of Dr Horace King Dr Horace King , Southampton, Itchen

Order. The hon. Gentleman must resume his seat. Mr. Callaghan.

Photo of Mr James Callaghan Mr James Callaghan The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Member, Labour Party National Executive Committee

I am quite willing to offer the hon. Gentleman, shall we say, 19s. 9d. for any £ note. I do not want to exacerbate relations, and I am sure that it will produce a lot of correspondence in the Treasury, but the simple truth is that Scottish £ notes are not legal tender.

Photo of Mr James Dempsey Mr James Dempsey , Coatbridge and Airdrie

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of that most unsatisfactory answer by the right hon. Gentleman, I wish to give notice that I will make every effort possible to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

Photo of Dr Horace King Dr Horace King , Southampton, Itchen

Order. The hon. Gentleman should give notice in the usual form, but, by doing so, he now cuts out other supplementary questions in support of his point of view.