George Foulkes said the prime minister had made it clear to him that voters would finally have their say on the single currency next autumn.

The Labour MP, who was axed in Tony Blair's Cabinet reshuffle in May, told Scotland on Sunday newspaper he had spoken to the prime minister about a specific date.

Mr Foulkes said he had also discussed the issue with Chancellor Gordon Brown.

George Foulkes: "Looking at October"

However, Downing Street denied that any date had been pencilled in.

Mr Foulkes said: "I have spoken to the prime minister on the subject of the date and the final decision on the date of the referendum will be his.

"However, after speaking to him our working assumption is autumn of next year and we are looking at October."

But a Downing Street spokesman said no date had been set for a referendum.

Cautionary note

"The position on the euro remains unchanged. There are five economic tests that need to be met and that remains the case," he said.

The UK Government has long insisted that - before a referendum is called - Chancellor Gordon Brown's five economic tests must be met.

The Electoral Commission sounded a note of caution earlier this year when it advised against holding a referendum on the euro next May.

The body, which monitors the administration of elections and political party finances, said holding a referendum on 1 May 2003 would cause "significant confusion" among voters.

It warned that with the likely cross-party campaigns for both the "Yes" and "No" camps, the upshot could be widespread confusion.