HC Deb 27 October 1997 vol 299 cc668-9W
Mr. Streeter

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy towards the recommendations contained in the second report from the Commission on citizenship of the Union (EC Cons Doc 8856/97). [12476]

Mr. Doug Henderson

We welcome the report's recommendation that the EU improve citizens' awareness of their rights within the Union. In support of the aim, we are working to raise the profile of the Citizens First programme in the UK. We also agree with the need to ensure that citizen's rights are enforced.

The report claims that EU citizens will not have tangible evidence of the full effects of the internal market without the elimination of border controls. The UK's position is clear: our border controls are not incompatible with the proper functioning of the internal market, including the free movement of persons. We do not intend to eliminate the UK's border controls, which are guaranteed in the treaty of Amsterdam.