21.   Even banks in countries unlikely to adopt the euro in the early rounds are preparing for it.

22.   He has insisted that Britain will not adopt the euro for at least eight years.

23.   He has ruled out adopting the euro for the next Parliament but has refused to say never.

24.   He warned that if the euro is adopted now, it will be a weak currency.

25.   If monetary union goes ahead, European countries will adopt the euro as their single currency, and the Ecu will be abolished.

26.   In Britain, which has not adopted the euro, opposition to possible future participation has intensified.

27.   In Britain, which decided against adopting the euro, the pound has gained in value, making Britain more expensive for travelers from the Continent.

28.   In order to facilitate its business across the continent, the car manufacturer Volvo, a Swedish company, plans to adopt the euro even though Sweden is not.

29.   Indeed, bond investors are already speculating on which countries will be allowed to adopt the euro as their currency.

30.   Midland is also preparing to change its retail services, in case the U.K. does adopt the euro.