HC Deb 11 February 1999 vol 325 cc356-7W
Mr. Tyrie

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to paragraph 1.24 of the publication, "UK membership of the Single Currency: An assessment of the five economic tests", if he will list those studies which suggest that the UK economy(a) is and (b) is not more sensitive than other countries to interest rate changes. [69997]

Ms Hewitt

There have been a number of studies in recent years into the interest rate sensitivity of the UK relative to other European economies. These include a study by the Bank of England (Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin May 1997), a study by the Bank for International Settlements (Financial Structure and the Monetary Policy Transmission Mechanism. BIS, 1995) and "EMU: prospects and challenges for the euro", Blackwell, 1998. Further references can be found in the bibliographies of these studies.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a White Paper setting out the case for the UK joining the single European currency. [70225]

Mrs. Browning

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the Government's assessment of the constitutional factors involved in joining the single currency. [70235]

Ms Hewitt

[holding answer 9 February 1999]: The Chancellor of the Exchequer set out clearly the Government's position on membership of the single currency in his statement to the House of Commons on 27 October 1997, Official Report, columns 583–88.