HC Deb 19 March 1999 vol 327 cc646-7W
Mr. Maclean

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if(a) the European central bank and (b) other Community bodies can prevent the accession of a member state on EMU-related grounds where that prospective member state has declined to negotiate an opt-out from full economic and monetary union acquis. [74441]

Ms Hewitt

According to Article O of the Treaty on European Union, applications for membership of the Union are considered by the Council of Ministers, after consulting the Commission, and after receiving the assent of the European Parliament. The conditions of admission are then for agreement between Member States and the applicant state.