§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 13 March 2002,Official Report, column 1100W, on European Documents, if he will make a statement on the nature of legislation under discussion in the fields of (a) visa policy, (b) information exchange and analysis, (c) pre-frontier measures, (d) border management, (e) improvement and co-ordination at operational level, (f) work of Europol and (g) aliens and criminals law and readmission and return. [57887]
§ Beverley HughesThe Action Plan on illegal immigration was adopted at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 28 February 2002. Measures within the plan are to be implemented in the short and medium term, with short-term measures to be implemented as soon as possible and in principle within one year of adoption of the Action Plan. Outlined below are the short term measures—both legislative and operative—in the six areas of the plan:
Visa policy
To improve document security on the basis of new technologies.To run a pilot project on using joint infrastructures and to strengthen consular co-operation.To conduct a feasibility study to determine the main features of the common visa identification system.Information Exchange and Analysis
To draft an annual report consisting of a statistical overview and data analysis.To conduct a feasibility study with a view to developing a European system for exchanging information.To implement and appraise the existing Early Warning System.Pre frontier Measures
To step up co-operation via the liaison officer network.To continue to implement the action of the High Level Working Group on Asylum and Migration.Measures relating to Border Management
To put into practice a risk assessment.To conduct a feasibility study on improving sea border controls.To analyse the possible contribution from police college (CEPOL) towards improving training.To step up co-operation with the operational services in the member states.To analyse the feasibility of a joint external borders service.Readmission and Return Policy
264WTo improve practical co-operation between the competent services.To determine appropriate criteria and practical arrangements for the compensation between member states of costs resulting from the enforcement of expulsion decisions.To analyse the actions and measures that may be envisaged on the basis of the Commission's Green Paper on return.To conclude outstanding readmission agreements with third countries.To further identify third countries with which readmission agreements need to be negotiated.To establish standards for the transit of returnees.Europol
No short term measures.Penalties
To put into practise the new Community instruments aimed at combating illegal trafficking of human beings.To determine the possibility of granting certain benefits/assistance to victims of trafficking of human beings.To conduct a study of the laws of the member states.To analyse the possibility of adopting provisions on confiscation of financial gains and on confiscation of means, in particular means of transport used in criminal activities relating to illegal immigration.To consider follow up to the Directive on carrier liability.