§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Government policy towards the establishment of a single European asylum system. [76289]
§ Kate HoeyA single European asylum system is a theoretical possibility. It could conceivably take a number of different forms. We have formed no particular view at present, but will consider the matter further in the light of the study to establish the merits of such a system which is a feature of the Council and Commission's Action Plan on the implementation of the provisions of the Treaty of Amsterdam on an area of freedom, security and justice, which was deposited on 17 November 1998.