HC Deb 10 July 1997 vol 297 cc605-6W
26. Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department has evaluated into the impact of different levels of unemployment in Europe on the impact of the introduction of a single currency. [6204]

Mrs. Liddell

If EMU goes ahead, it must on the basis of sustainable convergence as well as active measures to increase employability and social inclusion. It is essential that Europe tackles its unemployment problems with or without EMU.

That is why the Chancellor launched the "Getting Europe to work" initiative which sets out ways to improve labour market flexibility and employability. These British ideas were reflected in the European Council Resolution on employment agreed at Amsterdam.