By Rt Hon Greg Knight MP, Joint Chairman of the Parliamentary Clubs Group

At Westminster, the debate rages on about the Euro and whether or not we should join. According to the Government it is a question of 'when' rather than 'whether', with a formula of 'five economic tests' being applied to tell us when we should say yes to the EU currency.

I don't buy this argument. Giving up our own currency is essentially a political decision, not an economic one, and the Government knows it. The effects of Britain doing so are also straightforward. A single currency ultimately must mean a single Chancellor of the Exchequer - and a single Chancellor of the Exchequer will mean a single government.

In order words, if you want a united States of Europe, you should vote for the Euro when the Referendum comes.

That is something I certainly will not be doing, whatever these five daft tests say in a year's time.

The news that ghosts 'do not exist' comes as a disappointment. Professor Richard Wiseman recently conducted an experiment involving more than a thousand people at two of the UK's most haunted locations - Hampton Court Palace and Edinburgh Castle - and their experiences were monitored.

Writing in the British Journal of Psychology, Professor Wiseman claims: "Cold draughts and changes in the electro-magnetic field are responsible for giving the impression of a ghostly presence." In other words, it is our environment which makes us think ghosts are in a room.

This is not good news at all. The question of whether or not ghosts exist is something I would prefer to remain unsure about. After all, like most politicians, I like to have onr or two illusions left.

Anti-war protestors who set off for Baghdad last year to act as 'human shields' did not stay long and soon flew back home. They had hoped that Saddam Hussein would allow them to shield hospitals and schools but they were placed at oil refineries and power stations instead. Realising that this was dangerous, they quickly returned to the UK.

Their gesture looked rather pointless when they went to Baghdad but now, looking back, it just looks plain silly.

Oh dear. You'd have to have a heart of stone not to laugh.

The Queen has just celebrated half a century on the Throne.

On Tuesday June 2, 1953 Elizabeth II was crowned Queen. On that momentous day 50 years ago, a man's two-piece suit cost just £8, a ladies' dress 59s 6d and a nearly-new Hillman Minx could be yours for £450.

Back then, when a three-bedroom house in north London could be yours for £2,500 and a slap-up restaurant meal cost just five bob, the phrase 'Rip-off Britain' had clearly not been invented. It seems that these days the only place you can still get value for money is down at your local club!

Although much has changed since the Coronation, the Queen's loyal service to her country has been constant. Whatever one's view about royalty generally, there is no doubt that the Elizabeth II has served this country well.

I say, "God Bless you, Ma'am."

July 2003