HC Deb 27 March 2003 vol 402 cc449-50
13. Mr. Win Griffiths (Bridgend)

If he will make a statement on the publication of his reports on the five tests for euro membership. [105162]

14. Mr. Gordon Prentice (Pendle)

If his assessment of the five tests for euro entry is going according to the timetable he has set. [105163]

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Gordon Brown)

As I said to the Treasury Committee in February, we are on course to complete the assessment within two years of the start of this Parliament. When the assessment is completed, it will be published.

Mr. Griffiths

May I press my right hon. Friend to give some indication as to whether we can expect to be campaigning on the referendum before the end of the year?

Mr. Brown

That is a matter for the assessment. The assessment will be published and my hon. Friend can make his own judgment.

Mr. Prentice

But if the assessment is no, will we have another assessment in six months or a year? Will we have rolling assessments? There is a big void there. No one knows what is going to happen.

Mr. Brown

My hon. Friend is once again trying to jump the gun. There will be an assessment, it will be published in full, and people will be able to make their judgment.