Convention on the Future of Europe

HC Deb 12 March 2003 vol 401 cc288-9W

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will seek to incorporate the UK's opt-out from the euro in the draft document from the Convention on the Future of Europe. [101655]

Mr. MacShane

The Government have made clear that they will only recommend UK membership of the single currency if it is in the national economic interest and the economic benefits are clear and unambiguous. A comprehensive and rigorous assessment of the five economic tests will be made by June of this year. If, on the basis of the assessment, the Government take a decision to recommend joining, it will be put to a vote in Parliament and then to a referendum of the British people. Government, Parliament and the people must all agree. Unless and until they do, the Government will not agree to any Treaty that removed the UK's opt-out from EMU.