Refugees and Asylum Seekers (Hansard, 10 November 1997)

HC Deb 10 November 1997 vol 300 c391W 391W

§ Mr. Streeter
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the concept of burden sharing in relation to refugees and asylum seekers as introduced by the Amsterdam treaty. [14746]

§ Mr. Doug Henderson
Under Article 73k(2)(b) of the Treaty establishing the European Community as introduced by the Treaty of Amsterdam, the Council is to adopt measures promoting a balance of effort between Member States in receiving and bearing the consequences of receiving refugees and displaced persons. Decisions will be by unanimity. These measures will not be binding on the UK unless it opts in to them.