The government's response is a mix of short-term protectionist measures combined with modest steps towards more constructive longer-term policy changes.
When independent experts who are free from conflicts of interest come together in good faith to study an issue, they can have a profound and constructive influence on government policy.
But BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said sources suggested everyone who contributed at Tuesday's meeting spoke of the need for the coalition not to break up but for the Lib Dems also to pursue a policy of constructive engagement in Europe.