asked the Minister for Finance the tentative arrangements made to date for a change-over to the decimal coinage system; and if he will state (a) if it is intended to operate the system on the same date as that selected by the British Government for their country, (b) the over-all cost to the Government and the business community of such a change, (c) the possible effect that such a change may have on the £1 sterling in the form of external assets and on the economic life of the country in general, (d) the total issue of notes and coins required for circulation in the new system, and the method of withdrawal to be used for the collection of the old notes and coins in circulation, (e) the basic unit to be adopted for the decimal currency, (f) if instructions on the new system will be issued for the guidance of the public, and (g) the number of experts required to advise on the complex problems arising before the period of implementation.

As indicated in my reply to a question on this subject on 6th November, 1962, I have set up a working party, representative of the Central Bank and Government Departments, to advise on the appropriate time for adopting a decimal currency and on the steps necessary to effect the change in the most economical way. I understand that the working party has almost completed its investigations and that its report is at present being prepared.