§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the latest date is by which his Department will complete its assessment of the five economic tests for UK membership of the euro; and if he will make a statement. [1346]
§ Ruth KellyThe Government have said that they will complete another assessment of the five tests within two years of the start of this Parliament.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the technical work which is necessary before an assessment of the five economic tests for British entry into the euro is started; who will carry out this preliminary technical work in his Department; and if he will make a statement. [1347]
§ Ruth KellyThe Government have said that they will complete another assessment of the five tests within two years of the start of this Parliament.
Before any such assessment is started, the Treasury must continue to do the necessary preliminary work for the analysis—technical work that is necessary to allow the Treasury to undertake the assessment within two years as promised.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the policy of his Department is on the reforms of the European Central Bank that would be needed before the UK could join the euro; and if he will make a statement. [1348]
§ Ruth KellyThe determining factor underpinning any Government decision on membership of the single currency is the national economic interest and whether the economic case for joining is clear and unambiguous.