asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the poor condition of many 10s. notes now in circulation; and if he will state the average life expected of these notes.

Notes handed in to banks which are found to be unfit for circulation are withdrawn, but it is always possible for notes to pass from hand to hand for some time before reaching the banks. The average life of a 10s. note is less than one year.

How does that average life compare with the average life of the pound note? Has not the Chancellor noticed that many more very filthy 10s. notes come into his hands than pound notes?

I am afraid that very few of either come into my hands.