Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Treasury – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 1 March 2001.
Andrew Smith
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury
12:00,
1 March 2001
In the current financial year, the Government have sold 125 tonnes of gold at five auctions, raising revenue of $1.1 billion. A further auction is scheduled for March. Along with the auctions in 1999–2000, the sales have been successful and have achieved value for money for the taxpayer. Over the medium term, the sales will achieve the Government's overall aim of a better balanced portfolio of reserve holdings.