§ Baroness Ludfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have conducted, or will now conduct, a cost benefit examination of the advantages and disadvantages of full United Kingdom accession to the Schengen agreement, including the benefits to United Kingdom citizens and third country nationals legally resident in the United Kingdom of rights of free movement within the European Union. [HL4313]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker)There has not been a full cost benefit examination of joining Schengen. The Government have considered this previously and remain of the opinion that a detailed study would not be a proper use of resources given their position on Schengen. Our decision not to participate in Schengen is based on our geography. Common travel arrangements are sensible for countries with land borders. However, the United Kingdom has a unique island position and traffic is naturally channelled to ports where immigration controls are most effective. Signing up to Schengen and abolishing our border control would conflict with this.