asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likelihood and desirability of the free movement of sterling within the European Community in the context of the proposed European monetary system.

The proposed EMS is concerned with the relationship between the rates of exchange of the currencies of the members and with the creation of a European currency unit and a European monetary fund. Free movement of sterling or any other currency within the European Community is not a necessary feature of such a system.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the latest proposals for the European monetary system.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the current state of discussions between Great Britain and her partners in the EEC on the proposed European monetary system.

The Government will be publishing a Green Paper on this subject shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the Government's plans for further discussions on European monetary union.

None. The present proposals for a European monetary system fall far short of monetary union.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to announce the Government's attitude towards participation in the proposed European monetary system.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the discussions which he has instituted, and the view which his Department has formed, on the advantages and disadvantages of the United Kingdom agreeing to take part in the proposed European monetary system.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies he has undertaken of the likely consequences of the United Kingdom not joining the proposed European monetary system; and what conclusions have been reached.

The Government have taken part in a large number of discussions on the European monetary system which will form the background to the Government's overall assessment of the scheme. The Government have not yet reached their decision because the discussions are not yet concluded.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which areas of economic decision-making are likely to be affected if the United Kingdom joins the proposed European monetary system.

Membership of the margins arrangements in the proposed European monetary system would imply that all economic decisions which can affect the exchange rate of sterling would have to take account of the need to keep the exchange rate within the margins required.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to have completed his examination of the arguments for and against United Kingdom adherence to the proposed European monetary system.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Flint, West (Sir A. Meyer).