EURO REFERENDUM DATE

Motion Text

leave out from 'House' to end and add 'notes that the decision as to UK entry into the single currency is one of the most important issues for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom in the foreseeable future; believes that to hold a referendum on membership of the euro at the same time as the 2003 elections for the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly, and Northern Ireland would help focus attention on the importance of the decision as to membership for those nations; further believes that to hold the referendum at the same time as those elections would encourage a higher turn-out for both the referendum and those elections; further notes that continued uncertainty as to United Kingdom membership of the euro will be damaging to the economic interests of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland along with the rest of the United Kingdom; and accordingly urges the Government to give careful consideration to the advantages of holding the referendum on the euro on 1st May 2003.'.