§ Dr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on the immigration status of those same-sex couples in registered partnerships from Denmark, Greenland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands(a) where both of the partners are EU citizens, (b) where one partner is of non-EU origin, (c) where one partner is of non-EU origin and has gained the right of abode in an EU country by virtue of the registered partnerships and (d) where one partner is of non-EU origin and has been granted citizenship of an EU country by virtue of the registered partnership; and if he will make a statement. [26778]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienAll couples wishing to reside in the United Kingdom by virtue of their unmarried relationship must meet the requirements of the unmarried partners concession which was announced on 10 October 1997. This includes couples whose partnerships have been registered in Denmark, Greenland, Norway, Sweden or the Netherlands. The concession would not necessarily apply to them because European Economic Area (EEA) nationals who are in the United Kingdom by virtue of the provisions of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Order 1994 may reside here freely as long as they continue to be covered by the 1994 Order. This means that where the couple are both EEA nationals (regardless of their origins) they may both reside here by virtue of their nationality and would not have to qualify under the concession. Where one partner is of non-European Union origin they will need to qualify for admission under the concession even if they have gained a right to permanent residence in another EEA country.