Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his EU counterparts on waiting times experienced by UK travellers under the EU Entry-Exit System.

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is an EU scheme introduced to register travellers from third countries each time they enter or leave the Schengen area. While the UK is supportive of the aims of EES to improve border security, we want to see EES implemented in a way that minimises negative impacts on border fluidity. The Government is actively engaging EU and Member State counterparts on EES and has worked with industry partners to encourage clear communications to travellers. We continue to monitor implementation closely and keep Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Travel Advice updated.

I have raised issues around EES implementation with multiple ministerial counterparts over recent months, and we continue to keep the situation in all Schengen member states under close review, raising issues as appropriate.