Economic and Monetary Union (Hansard, 15 January 1998)

§ 19. Mr. Healey
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the steps he is taking to encourage greater public awareness of the implications of EMU. [21070]

§ Mr. Gordon Brown
We have already published booklets to help people and businesses understand what EMU means. This year, we will hold conferences to inform all regions and sectors of the economy about the need to prepare. We will apply for Community funding for an information service and we will produce information packs for schools, and we plan to make all EMU information available on-line through links to libraries and information centres across the country.

§ 26. Helen Jones
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from trade unions on his EMU policy. [21077]
301W

§ Mr. Gordon Brown
I have regular contact with the Trades Union Congress to discuss a range of issues, including economic and monetary union. I have also received representations from the TUC through the Business Advisory Group, which I set up in September 1997. I will shortly be publishing a report summarising the recommendations from the Advisory Group.

§ Mr. Mitchell
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list each current statutory duty of the Bank of England, indicating how each is affected by(a) current obligations under Stage 2 of Economic and Monetary Union, (b) future obligations entered into by the United Kingdom after adherence to Stage 3 of Economic and Monetary Union and (c) the commencement of Stage 3 by other member states, not including the United Kingdom. [22195]

§ Mrs. Liddell
The main existing statutory duties of the Bank of England are prescribed by the Currency and Bank Notes Acts 1928 and 1954 (in relation to notes and coin) and by the Banking Act 1987 as amended (in relation to banking supervision). These duties are unaffected by stage 2 of economic and monetary union and would remain unaffected by the participation in stage 3 of other Member States. The 1928 and 1954 Acts would require amendment were the United Kingdom to participate in stage 3.