HC Deb 05 March 2003 vol 400 cc1050-1W
Mr. Prisk

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will initiate a rolling programme of reassessment, should his Department conclude that Britain does not meet the five economic tests for entry to the euro. [101058]

Ruth Kelly

The Government will not speculate on the outcome of the assessment of the five economic tests, which will be completed within two years of the start of this Parliament.

Mr. Prisk

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a statement setting out the(a) costs and (b) benefits of entry into the eurozone, if his Department concludes that Britain meets the five economic tests for entry to the euro. [101059]

Ruth Kelly

A comprehensive and rigorous assessment of the five economic tests will be completed within two years of the start of this Parliament. Once the assessment is complete, the supporting studies will be published alongside all to be subject to intensive public scrutiny and debate.

Mr. Prisk

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has made an assessment of what the effect would be on British business if his Department's assessment of the five economic tests for euro entry is(a) that Britain should enter the euro and (b) that Britain should not enter the euro. [101153]

Ruth Kelly

As set out in the Paper for the Treasury Committee on the Treasury's approach to the preliminary and technical work, published on 6 September 2002, a number of supporting studies will be published alongside the assessment of the five economic tests. A supporting study will be published, examining "The impact of EMU on business in different manufacturing and business sectors of the UK economy." Further detail can be found in the 6 September Paper.