Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what representations she has made to the European Commission regarding the decision by some EU member states not to fully implement the EU Entry-Exit System, and the decision of France to proceed with full implementation, including at juxtaposed ports.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an EU scheme, and its implementation, including the use of flexibilities permitted by the relevant legislation on biometric collection, is a matter for the European Commission and participating EU member states.

The UK government wants to see EES implemented in a way that protects border fluidity and minimises disruption for travellers, hauliers and businesses. I, along with the Home Secretary and officials, have regularly engaged with counterparts in the EU and member states at all levels to encourage a pragmatic approach to implementation and maximum use of available flexibilities. This has included official and ministerial engagement with France on arrangements at the UK juxtaposed ports ahead of the May half-term holiday period resulting in agreements on minimum staffing levels and escalation in the event of disruption. These arrangements were made use of on 23 May, when the French Police aux Frontières employed flexibility to alleviate congestion on the road network.

Officials have worked with travel and trade industry partners to support their understanding of and approach to implementation, and will continue to engage with them and the EU and member states to encourage a pragmatic approach to EES.

We continue to engage with the EU, member states and travel industry partners to encourage a pragmatic approach to implementation.