Hain claims euro benefits ‘evident’ after launch of cash

In a speech on 31 October 2001 at the Franco-British Council Seminar in London, Peter Hain, the UK Minister for Europe, said that the benefits of the euro would be 'very evident' to British voters after the launch of euro notes and coins in January 2002, and that the new year would be an opportune time for UK ministers to promote the argument for membership of the single currency.