§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for. the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 4 May 2000,Official Report, column 209W, on the Schengen Information System, what part that system can play in the fight against crime, fraud and drug trafficking in the European Union; and what constraints exist in the use of this system by member states not within the Schengen arrangements. [121639]
§ Mrs. RocheThe Schengen Information System exists to support the substantive provisions of the Schengen Implementing Convention, which include police and judicial co-operation between participating member states.
Only those member states which have acceded to the Schengen acquis have access to the Schengen Information System. In accordance with separate arrangements with the European Union member states, Norway and Iceland are also associated with Schengen co-operation, including access to the Schengen Information System.
53WIn line with its application to participate in parts of the Schengen acquis relating to law enforcement and judicial co-operation, the United Kingdom would have access to the corresponding parts of the Schengen Information System database.