asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he intends to authorise the minting of twopenny pieces with a Northern Irish design, in accordance with the Chancellor's statement made in 1968 relating to coins minted after 1972; and, if so, when.

I have no present intention of so doing. In the light of the political situation in Northern Ireland since the statement in 1968, it has not been felt opportune to attempt to select a Northern Irish design for a new coin.