HC Deb 02 March 1999 vol 326 cc644-5W
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate for additional public expenditure arising out of the euro changeover plan for(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000 and (c) subsequent years.[73802]

Ms Hewitt

[holding answer 1 March 1999] The cost of euro preparations would depend on the detailed approach that the UK took to the changeover. The outline National Changeover Plan is a first step in planning how the UK would make the changeover to the single currency. A further plan will be published in around a year's time.

Any spending in 1998–99 and 1999–2000 will be accommodated within the spending plans already set out for those years.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the costs of converting to the euro for(a) the public sector, (b) retailers, (c) manufacturers, (d) the financial sector and (e) the economy as a whole. [73803]

Ms Hewitt

[holding answer 1 March 1999] The cost to each sector of the economy of conversion to the euro would depend on the detailed approach taken to the changeover. For example, costs would depend on the extent to which organisations are able to build in euro compatibility where IT systems are being upgraded or purchased for other reasons.

The outline National Changeover Plan is a first step in planning how the UK would make the changeover to the single currency. A further plan will be published in around a year's time.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to(a) the Inland Revenue, (b) HM Customs and Excise, (c) the other non-ministerial Departments within his responsibility and (d) his Department of converting to the euro. [74143]

Ms Hewitt

The cost to those departments of conversion to the euro would depend on the detailed approach that the UK took to the changeover. The outline National Changeover Plan is a first step in planning how the UK would make the changeover to the single currency. A further plan will be published in around a year's time.

The cost to those departments would also depend on the extent to which they are able to build in euro compatibility where IT systems are being upgraded or purchased for other reasons.