§ Valerie DaveyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if signatories of the Schengen Agreement now recognise the certificate of identity otherwise known as the brown British travel documents; what has been the impact of their policy on(a) those given exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom and (b) those unable to obtain a travel document or passport from their own country who have indefinite leave to remain; and what steps his Department has taken on this matter. [57720]
§ Kate HoeyThe Certificate of Identity issued to certain foreign nationals living in the United Kingdom is issued in accordance with international custom, complies with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, and guarantees the holder's return to this country within its validity. However, we are aware that some holders of these documents experience difficulties when applying for visas to travel both within Europe and beyond.
It is a matter for the competent authorities of each country to decide whether to accept into their territory an individual or the holder of a particular type of document. This is not something over which the issuing authority can exert any influence.