§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what work has been commissioned by his Department from outside Her Majesty's Treasury on the appropriate long-term exchange rate of the pound against the euro; and if he will make a statement; [33611]
(2) if he will list those university academics and economic research establishments he has asked to carry out work relating to the technical preparations for the five economic tests for euro entry; what this work consists of; what cost to public funds is involved; and if he will make a statement. [32874]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithThe Treasury is in regular contact with academics and other outsiders on a wide range of issues, including aspects of the preliminary and technical work. However, the assessment of the five economic tests will be a Government assessment and the work will be undertaken by the Treasury.
The Treasury published a note in November 2001, "Preliminary and Technical Work to Prepare for the Assessment of the Five Tests for UK Membership of the Single Currency", which addressed the issues of content and timing of the preliminary and technical work to prepare for the assessment of the five economic tests for UK membership of the single currency. A copy can be found in the Library of the House.