§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff at the Bank of England are involved in working on the preliminary technical work for joining the euro; and if he will make a statement. [26697]
232W
§ Ruth KellyThe Treasury is in regular contact with the Bank of England on a whole range of issues, including aspects of the preliminary and technical work. But it is clear that the assessment will be a Government assessment, and the work will be undertaken by the Treasury.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if there will be a political judgment involved in the decision as to whether or not Britain should join the euro; and if he will make a statement. [26550]
§ Ruth KellyAs the Chancellor stated in October 1997, the 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.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government's decision to join the euro will be affected by(a) the level of the pound against the euro and (b) the degree of progress on harmonisation in Europe; and if he will make a statement. [26554]
§ 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 clean and unambiguous. The five economic tests will define whether a clear and unambiguous case can be made.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reforms to the(a) fiscal policy rules and (b) operational arrangements for monetary policy, in relation to members of the Single European Currency, are being sought by the Government before Britain will join the euro; and if he will make a statement. [26553]
§ 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.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his policy to seek a devaluation of the pound sterling against the euro before Britain joins the single European currency; and if he will make a statement. [26555]
§ Ruth KellyI refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Financial Secretary, on 3 July 2001,Official Report, column 125W.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what budget allocation has been made by his Department for(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03 for carrying out the preliminary technical work for evaluating the five economic tests for membership of the euro; and if he will make a statement. [26544]
§ Ruth KellyNo separate budget allocation has been made for this work for either year. The resources needed will be found from the budgets of the several Treasury management units which will contribute to the preliminary and technical work.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the(a) officials, (b) special advisers and (c) Ministers of his Department who are involved in the preliminary technical work for joining the euro; and if he will make a statement; [26549]
233W(2) how many officials of HM Treasury were involved in the preliminary technical preparations for joining the euro at (a) 1 January 2001, (b) 1 June 2001, (c) 1 December 2001 and (d) the latest date for which data are available; and if he will make a statement. [26551]
§ Ruth KellyI refer the hon. Member to my answer to him on 25 October 2001,Official Report, column 373W.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is(a) his estimate of the date on which the Treasury will complete its evaluation of whether the five economic tests for joining the euro have been met and (b) the latest date by which their evaluation is due to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [26552]
§ Ruth KellyI refer the hon. Member to my answer of 2 July,Official Report, column 67W.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the five economic tests for membership of the euro will have to be met clearly and unambiguously if Britain is to join the euro; and if he will make a statement. [26548]
§ 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. The five economic tests will define whether a clear and unambiguous case can be made.