Written question asked by Julian Lewis (Conservative) on Monday, 23 October 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 November 2000. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 November 2000 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the political factors affecting his assessment of the desirability of the United Kingdom replacing the pound with the euro. - Inc ref to 299 c583-88, 27 October 2000.

Answer: Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the political factors affecting his assessment of the desirability of the United Kingdom replacing the pound with the euro. [135042] Mr. Vaz: The Chancellor of the Exchequer said in his statement on 27 October 1997, Official Report, columns 583-88, that the determining factor as to whether Britain joins a single currency is the national economic interest, and whether the economic case for doing so is clear and unambiguous. He also stated that there is no constitutional bar to British membership of EMU.

Secondary information