HL Deb 05 February 2001 vol 621 cc79-80WA
Lord Shore of Stepney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, under Article 111(4) of the Revised European Communities Treaties, the United Kingdom is included among the member states entitled to vote on "issues of particular relevance to Economic and Monetary Union" and on other matters mentioned in that sub-clause; and whether in the Declaration to be included in the Final Act of the Nice Conference the United Kingdom is considered to be "in the euro area". [HL445]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

In line with paragraph seven of the Protocol on certain provisions relating to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the voting rights of the United Kingdom are suspended in respect of Article 111 of the Treaty Establishing the European Community. The UK does not participate in the single currency; hence in the Declaration to be included in the Final Act of the Nice Conference on Article 111 TEC, the United Kingdom is not considered to be "in the euro area".