Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Higgins (Conservative). It was answered on Monday, 19 January 2009.

Economy: Exchange Rate

Question: My Lords, would the noble Lord agree that if we were members of the European single currency it would not have been possible for us to cut interest rates in the way which the Government have, and that that would not have been likely to assist economic recovery? As far as the exchange rate is concerned, would he agree that the effect depends on the elasticity of demand for exports and imports? Have the Government made an up-to-date estimate of these?

Answer: My Lords, I agree with the observation of the noble Lord, Lord Higgins, that we are free to set our own interest rates. As a member of the single currency, we would be bound to the single-currency interest rates. On his second question, the Government’s forecasts take account of elasticities of demand and supply in terms of their effect on the trade account.

Secondary information