Schengen Area

Question

Asked by

Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 2 February (WA 98–99), whether they will obtain the prior consent of Parliament before applying to enter the Schengen acquis in full. [HL1240]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead)
The UK has not applied to participate in the full Schengen acquis as that would require the lifting of internal border controls and it would also undermine our immigration controls overseas. Those controls are central to our ability to manage migration. Any decision to change our position would involve full parliamentary scrutiny in both Houses.