To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much gold the Government has sold in each year since 1997. (251657)

The Government undertook a gold sales programme from 1999 to 2002. In that time, 395 tonnes of gold have been sold: 75 tonnes in 1999; 150 tonnes in 2000; 130 tonnes in 2001; and 40 tonnes in 2002. The Government have not conducted an official gold sales programme since 2002.