HC Deb 11 May 1995 vol 259 cc608-9W
27. Mr. David Evans

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had about whose head shall appear on common European currency bank notes.[22254]

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

Under article 109f(3) of the treaty of European Union the European Monetary Institute is responsible for supervising the technical preparation of ecu banknotes. The EMI has set up a group of national central bank experts to undertake a detailed study. The Chancellor has made it clear to other member states that if the United Kingdom were to participate in a single currency it would attach great importance to the retention of national features on the notes and coins.

Under the UK protocol to the treaty, any decision to seek to join a single currency would be a matter for the UK Government and Parliament.