Letter: Tories in Europe

Sir: Joe McNamee is confused (letter, March 8). While the centre-right EPP (European People's Party) Group in the European Parliament is indeed more positive towards the single European currency than the British Conservative Party, Conservative MEPs are only "allied members" of the group.

Since we became allied members in 1992, it has been accepted that we can maintain our own party line, especially on issues subject to UK opt- outs negotiated in the Maastricht treaty, ie monetary union and the social chapter).

JOHN CORRIE MEP

Chief Whip, Conservatives in the European Parliament

Strasbourg