§ Lord Tomlinsonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made on the United Kingdom's application to participate in the Schengen acquis. [HL2606]
§ Lord Williams of MostynWe have today written to Herr Schily, German Minister of the Interior and President of the Justice and Home Affairs Council, with the United Kingdom's formal application to participate in certain areas of the Schengen acquis as provided for by Article 4 of the Schengen Protocol. The application reflects my right honourable friend's answer in another place,Official Report, 12 March, col. 380. The text of the application has been placed in the Library and the draft Council decision on our application will be submitted for parliamentary scrutiny.