§ Mr. LivseyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to share information on immigration matters with other EU states. [9835]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe participation of member states of the European Union in the work on immigration and asylum policy taken forward under the third pillar provides a framework for the sharing of information on immigration matters. The clearing houses, CIREA and CIREFI, have been established for this purpose. The United Kingdom participates fully in these arrangements. Additionally, we exchange information bilaterally with other European Union countries where there is a particular reason to do so.