§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to monitor the work of the Schengen group of European Community countries in its planning for the abolition of border controls; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaudeWe are naturally interested in the experience of the Schengen partners in seeking to reduce frontier controls. We are monitoring progress closely through contacts with the member states concerned. I understand that they are unlikely to meet the 1990 deadline for abolishing land frontiers between them.
§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why Her Majesty's Government are not participating in the Schengen group's work on European Community border controls.
§ Mr. MaudeThe Schengen agreement is an arrangement between France, the Federal Republic and the Benelux countries. Their work is entirely separate from the wider discussions on free movement of people which are taking place among all member states of the European Community, in which the United Kingdom participates fully and actively.