§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer where(a) euro coins will be minted and (b) euro notes will be printed. [25267]
§ Mrs. LiddellUnder Article 105a(2) of the Treaty, participating Member States may issue coins subject to the approval by the ECB of the volume of the issue. Under Article 105a(1) of the Treaty, the ECB has the exclusive right to authorise the issue of banknotes within the Community. The ECB and national central banks may issue such notes. It has been agreed within the EMI that all the printing works of participating member states' central banks will be involved.
§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what EC bodies are responsible for designing the proposed euro currency notes and determining the denominations issued; what maximum denomination has been authorised; and who is responsible for ensuring that the risk of forgery is minimised. [26999]
§ Mrs. LiddellThe EMI is responsible for supervising the technical preparation of euro banknotes, in accordance with Article 109f(3) of the Treaty. The designs for euro banknotes were unveiled at the European Council in Dublin in December 1996. The maximum denomination is the 500 euro note. Work on anti-counterfeiting features and materials continues in the EMI.