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MP claims Whitehall urging go for euro

Paul Taylor
28/ 8/2003

WHITEHALL bureaucrats are secretly advising Macclesfield Borough Council to prepare for the euro, according to the town's MP.

Sir Nicholas Winterton claims the Treasury and Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have sent a new directive to the council instructing it to prepare to scrap the pound and introduce the euro.

He also says the directive advises the council that if they wish to increase car parking charges, fines and charges for other council-run services, using a euro changeover to mask price revisions.

A spokesman for the borough council couldn't confirm that the authority had received such a directive.

A council resolution states: "That no expenditure, in time or money, shall be made for the purpose of preparation for a change over from Sterling to the euro currency unless a legal obligation is imposed on the council to do so."

Sir Nicholas Winterton said: "At a time when council taxes are going through the roof, it is scandalous that the government is burdening Macclesfield Borough Council with yet more Whitehall red-tape.

"Despite there being no demand to scrap the pound and the government's own assessment conceding that it would damage our economy to do so, Whitehall bureaucrats are secretly advising councils how to issue tax bills and car parking charges in euros.

"Scrapping the pound would mean higher prices for customers. In Eurozone countries, the euro has meant soaring inflation for many retail goods. Even this government guidance admits that a euro changeover could be used to increase council charges by stealth.

"Time and resources better spent improving local public services will be wasted on planning for something the majority of the British public strongly oppose. It is spin run wild and scandalous, especially since it is in anticipation of the expressed view of the British people which is against the surrender of our national independence."

Mr Winterton says the directive, 'Local authorities: Euro Preparations Guidance - Part 1', also advises the council that "significant resources" will be needed for the change-over, including plans for a major PR campaign.Macclesfield councillors tabled a draft resolution in March 1999 concerning the council's preparations for the euro.