MP's FACE SPEED-READING TEST FOR EURO DECISION ON MONDAY - TAYLOR

6.33.29pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 5th Jun 2003

Gordon Brown announced this morning that MPs will be given the 18 supporting studies on the euro assessment at 9am on Monday - giving them just six and a half hours to read 1, 738pages.

His announcement came in response to Liberal Democrat and Conservative pressure to release the documents in advance of the Chancellor's statement on the five tests.

Matthew Taylor MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor:

"The Cabinet were given the weekend to read these documents, which was bad enough. But MPs are only getting 6 and a half hours to read 1,738 pages of technical economic studies."

"There is clearly no way that this gives MPs sufficient time to properly hold the Chancellor to account when he makes his announcement on the euro.

"Given that some of the content of these studies has already been leaked to newspapers, to argue they are market sensitive until Monday at 9am is indefensible. Like the Cabinet, MPs need at least the weekend to consider their content before Monday's decision.