Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether access to the (a) European Criminal Records Information system and (b) Schengen Information system for (i) Police Scotland and (ii) the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service will be maintained after the transition period.

We continue to discuss with the EU an agreement on law enforcement and criminal justice cooperation in criminal matters. The agreement should equip operational partners on both sides with the capabilities that help protect citizens and bring criminals to justice promoting the security of all our citizens. As set out in the UK’s Approach to Negotiations, we have proposed this should include capabilities similar to those provided by the European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS) and by SIS II.

Our focus is on reaching an agreement with the EU and we will continue to work hard to achieve it. We are also working closely with the police, other law enforcement and criminal justice agencies in the UK, as well as the devolved administrations, to ensure we are ready for a range of possible outcomes at the end of the year.