HC Deb 19 April 2002 vol 383 cc1256-7W
Harry Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which European Union countries do not accept the Home Office Certificate of Identity as a valid travel document; what reasons each of them has provided his Department for this policy; how he has addressed each of these reasons; when he expects the Certificate of Identity to be accepted throughout the EU; and if he will make a statement. [48891]

Angela Eagle

The Home Office Certificate of Identity (CID) is a travel document issued to foreign nationals, other than refugees, who are resident in the United Kingdom and cannot obtain a passport from their national authorities.

The CID is issued on a discretionary basis, not under an international convention. European Union Member States are not obliged to recognise the document. Those Member States which do not do so, and generally do not issue travel visas to CID holders, include France, Belgium, Germany, Greece and Spain.

The stance taken by all these countries is largely influenced by the fact that CID holders have no absolute right of re-admission on return from travel abroad. In response we have explained that this does not cause difficulties in practice, as CID holders are entitled to return to any United Kingdom port on a date within the CID's validity, and a visa is not required. Under the Immigration Rules, re-admission after examination by an immigration officer is not an automatic entitlement, but would normally be granted, on the basis that residency here is to be resumed. There are no plans to give CID holders an absolute right of re-admission. To do so would put them in a more favourable position than other foreign nationals who are resident here. Only British citizens, and Commonwealth citizens who have the right of abode here, have an unconditional right of re-entry.

Positive efforts will continue to be made by the Home Office with a view to achieving full acceptance for the CID, including giving consideration to alteration of the standard wording of the CID to meet Schengen concerns.