HC Deb 27 April 1995 vol 258 cc680-1W
Mr. Fraser

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all entitled resolutions, conclusions, recommendations or other decisions relating to immigration and/or asylum matters which have been adopted by the European Council of the European Union either under the auspices of the intergovernmental process or on the formalisation of procedures under title VI of the treaty on European Union; and by what means members of the public may gain access to these matters. [20360]

Mr. Nicholas Baker

The following measures relating to immigration and asylum have been adopted by the Council in accordance with the procedures established by the intergovernmental chapter—title VI—of the treaty on European UnionResolution on limitations on admission of third-country nationals to the member states for employment; Resolution on the admission of third-country nationals to the territory of member states for study purposes; Resolution on limitations on admission of third country nationals to the territory of member states for the purpose of self-employment; Joint action on travel facilities for third country nationals—school pupils; Conclusions on the organisation and development of the Centre for Information, Discussion and Exchange on the Crossing of Frontiers and Immigration; Recommendation concerning a specimen draft bilateral readmission agreement between a member state of the European Union and a third country; Recommendation concerning a standard travel document for the removal of third country nationals.

Proposals under title VI are made available for parliamentary scrutiny where they fall within the criteria for deposit in accordance with the Government's proposed scrutiny arrangements for title VI matters. Once they have been agreed by the Council, texts are made available to the House and can be provided to members of the public on request.

Additionally, the following decisions were taken by Immigration Ministers under the ad hoc arrangements which existed before the structures created under title VI:

  • Creation of a European forgery bulletin;
  • Convention determining the state responsible for examining applications for asylum lodged in one of the member states of the EC, the "Dublin convention';
  • Decision setting up CIREA, the centre for information, discussion and exchange on asylum;
  • Conclusions concerning countries where there is generally no serious risk of persecution;
  • Resolution on a harmonised approach to questions concerning host third countries;
  • Resolution on manifestly unfounded applications for asylum;
  • Recommendation concerning member states' practices regarding removal;
  • Recommendation concerning transit for the purposes of expulsion;
  • Act setting up CIREFI, the centre for information, research and exchange on the crossing of boarders and immigration;
  • Recommendation concerning checks on and expulsion of third country nationals residing or working without authorisation;
  • Conclusions concerning greater flexibility in application of the provisions on transit for the purposes of expulsion; and
  • Resolution on harmonisation of national policies on family reunification.

These documents were normally placed in the Library after their adoption by Immigration Ministers.