EU: Membership

House of Lords written question – answered at on 30 March 2011.

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Photo of Lord Stoddart of Swindon Lord Stoddart of Swindon Independent Labour

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by the Prime Minister on 9 March (Official Report, Commons, col. 905), on what cost-benefit analysis they base their assessment of the benefits of European Union membership.

Photo of Lord Howell of Guildford Lord Howell of Guildford Minister of State (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) (International Energy Policy)

This Government's view is based on the consideration of benefits ranging from single market membership to the right to live and work across the EU as to effective co-operation in global affairs rather than on a formal cost-benefit analysis. These gains are not easily quantifiable. In addition, HM Treasury (HMT) has reviewed a wide range of studies by external commentators that attempt to assess the economic costs and benefits of the UK's membership of the EU. These reviews are regularly updated by HMT to ensure that they are providing Parliament and the public with up-to-date information. The most recent update was in November 2010 and is available at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/foi_ eumembership_literaturereview.pdf.

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