HC Deb 06 November 2000 vol 356 cc81-2W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will(a) commission and (b) publish independent assessments of whether his five economic tests are being met. [136411]

Miss Melanie Johnson

The Treasury will make another assessment of the five economic tests early in the next Parliament.

Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the non-economic factors which will be taken into account in determining the timing of a decision to replace the pound with the euro. [136263]

Miss Melanie Johnson

The determining factor underpinning any Government decision to join the single currency is whether the economic case for the UK joining is clear and unambiguous.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last discussed constitutional issues raised by the euro with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. [136404]

Miss Melanie Johnson

The Chancellor of the Exchequer meets with his Cabinet colleagues on a regular basis and discusses a wide range of issues.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy in the event of UK membership of the eurozone to negotiate a right to withdraw unilaterally from the zone. [136190]

Miss Melanie Johnson

Any decision by the UK to join EMU would be made by the British people in a referendum and would be on the same treaty basis as applies to existing members.

Mr. Fearn

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the causes of the fluctuations in the exchange rate between the euro and the pound in 1999–2000. [136009]

Miss Melanie Johnson

Exchange rates are determined by global markets and are influenced by a wide range of factors.