HC Deb 24 May 2002 vol 386 cc667-8W
Mr. Salmond

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what analysis he has made of which industries are most likely to benefit from the UK joining the European single currency market. [59545]

Ruth Kelly

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester East on 25 March,Official Report, column 775W.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a further statement on when the Government intends to conduct a referendum on the euro. [59543]

Ruth Kelly

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham on 2 November 2001,Official Report, column 885W.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the Government will inform the public of the issues at stake before a euro referendum. [59544]

Ruth Kelly

The Government has said that it will complete an assessment of the Five Economic Tests within two years of the start of this Parliament. Once the assessment is complete, the Government will publish the conclusions and the report.

If, on the basis of the assessment, a decision to recommend joining is taken by the Government, it will be put to a vote in Parliament and then to a referendum of the British people.

Mr. Whittingdale

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take account of the CFA franc zone's effect on monetary policy in the Eurozone in assessing the five economic tests for joining the euro; and if he will make a statement. [59884]

Ruth Kelly

The Government has said that it will complete an assessment of the five economic tests within two years of the start of this Parliament. All relevant economic issues will be dealt with as part of the assessment.

Mr. Davidson

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the criteria by which he will judge whether the five economic tests have been met clearly and unambiguously. [59806]

Ruth Kelly

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Yeovil on 17 JanuaryOfficial Report, column 438W.