I HAVE always been sceptical about the case for a single currency in Europe.

This scepticism concerns fiscal control and sovereignty amongst more basic issues. Even at the basic level of functionality, however, I was given food for thought on a recent trip on the Continent.

I happened to have in my possession a lurid €200 note. No shopkeeper would accept it, apparently, because it is widely forged. They directed me to banks.

In more than an hour's walk in the commercial capital, I came across only two banks - one did not exchange euros and the other "did not handle money" (a very curious form of bank, one might think).

I was directed to a third bank, who told me they could break the note, but only for account holders. Thus simply to spend the legal tender of the land, I ended up opening an account. One and a half hours gone, I was able to convert a solitary euro note into usable euro notes.

My experience was indicative of a currency which does not reflect the local needs and conditions even at a simple level.

Christopher Ruairie,

One Ridgepark Drive, Lanark.