The paper analyses theoretically what role fiscal councils could play and surveys empirically the activities of existing councils. Case studies of the Swedish Fiscal Policy Council and the UK Office for Budget Responsibility are done. It is concluded that fiscal councils should be advisory,...

Introduction and comment on the discussion / by William Wallace -- Maximalism or minimalism? : Britain's European options / by David Marquand -- Comment / by Hugh Corbet -- Comment / by Bryan Gould -- Comment / by Laurens Brinkhorst -- The balance of payments and British membership of the...