§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what parts of the Schengen acquis the United Kingdom has applied to participate in since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [145585]
§ Caroline FlintI have been asked to reply.
In March 1999, the United Kingdom applied to participate in those parts of the Schengen acquis which relate to police and judicial co-operation, co-operation against drug trafficking and illegal immigration. The UK also applied to participate in the related provisions of the Schengen Information System. My right hon. Friend the then Home Secretary (Jack Straw) made a statement to Parliament on 12 March 1999 setting out this proposed partial participation in Schengen.
The United Kingdom's partial participation in Schengen was agreed by the JHA Council in its Decision of 29 May 2000 (Decision number 2000/365/EC). There has been no further application by the United Kingdom.