HC Deb 30 October 2000 vol 355 c266W
Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment his Department has made of(a) public support for and (b) public opposition to replacing the pound with the single European currency. [135023]

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. Because of the magnitude of the decision, the Government believe that whenever a decision to enter is taken by Government, it should be put to a referendum of the British people.