HC Deb 16 February 1998 vol 306 cc488-9W
Mr. Brazier

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his discussions with his counterparts from other European Union countries indicated variance in the recollection of events relating to Schengen opt-in procedures agreed at Amsterdam. [29760]

Mr. Doug Henderson

Although it would not be appropriate to enter into the details of every discussion with other Ministers, ray right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is not aware of any disagreement about what was said at the European Council. Not every Member State was categorical on whether a Spanish text was circulated. We are clear that it was not.

Mr. Brazier

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answers of 30 January 1998,Official Report, column 440, and 10 February 1998, Official Report, column 144, to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) concerning the Schengen opt-in procedure, which Minister consulted the Irish Foreign Minister; and what reasons underlay the difference between the two answers. [29766]

Mr. Doug Henderson

This was due to an administrative error. The answer I should have given on 10 February was as follows:

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary consulted with the Irish Foreign Minister on the Schengen opt-in procedure as a matter of mutual interest. It would not be appropriate to publish details of these discussions.