To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many counterfeit banknotes have been seized in the UK in each of the last two years for which figures are available; and how many purported to have been issued by (a) the Bank of England, (b) Scottish banks and (c) banks in Northern Ireland. (319952)

The Bank of England is responsible for collating statistics on counterfeits of its own banknotes and these are available at:

http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/about/counterfeits.htm

Scottish and Northern Ireland banknote issuers are responsible for collating statistical information on counterfeits of their own banknote issue. The Scottish banks publish their statistics on the Committee of Scottish Clearing banks website available at:

http://www.scotbanks.org.uk/banknote_counterfeit.php

The Northern Irish banknote issuers do not publish statistics on counterfeits of their banknote issue.