§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will deposit in the Library a copy of the Wilton Park paper entitled Europe after Economic and Monetary Union; and if he will make a statement on his Department's assessment of political conclusions reached. [105587]
34W
§ Mr. VazThere is no Wilton Park paper with that exact title. However two papers on the subject of EMU, summarising conferences held in October 1998 and May 1999, are available on Wilton Park website www.wiltonpark.org.uk.
Wilton Park brings together people of all viewpoints to discuss topical issues. Although its finances are underwritten by my Department, its academic independence is guaranteed. Its reports on EMU as on other subjects reflect the personal accounts of the chairman and rapporteur of the range of views expressed at its conferences. Government policy on EMU is clear. The determining factor underpinning any Government decision on EMU membership is whether the economic benefits from joining are clear and unambiguous.