HC Deb 13 November 2000 vol 356 cc554-5W
Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 1 November 2000,Official Report, column 537W, what constitutional factors were considered in relation to possible British membership of the single European currency, prior to the 27 October 1997 statement concerning British membership of EMU. [138008]

Miss Melanie Johnson

As the October 1997 statement stated, if the economic benefits are clear and unambiguous, there is no constitutional bar to British membership of EMU.

Mr. Bradshaw

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which responsibilities for assessing if membership of the single European currency would be in Britain's economic interest lie with(a) his Department and (b) the Bank of England. [135859]

Miss Melanie Johnson

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