§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the United Kingdom's opt-out from the Schengen agreement will be maintained in the proposed Constitutional Treaty for the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [126377]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe draft constitution produced by the convention on the future of Europe makes clear that the protocols attached to the treaty will remain an integral part of it. These will include the protocol integrating the Schengen acquis, under which the U K has made a successful application for partial participation. The Government position on the protocols relating to our frontier controls in general and our opt-out from the Schengen Agreement in particular has not changed. We will maintain controls at the UK's frontiers.