§ Mr. CashTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the work of the European Union's monetary committee; for what reasons its activities are closed to the press; what is its policy regarding press inquiries about its activities; and if it is examining the design of notes and coins for the new monetary system. [17510]
§ Mr. NelsonThe present monetary committee was established under article 109c of the EC treaty. Its tasks include advising the Council and the Commission on EMU. Member states and the Commission each appoint two members of the committee.
Its policy regarding the press is a matter for the monetary committee. As part of its tasks in preparation for EMU, the committee helps prepare for ECOFIN's discussions on ecu notes and coins.