Expert: Phil Woodford - 3/29/2000

Question
Dear Mr Woodford

I am an offshore British student from Gibraltar, I am currently studying in Northampton University.

I have been following the news on the British Schengen talks, and I have also been doing some investigation on the topic, but I would like to know in what position Spain is in, on disagreeing on British entry towards the Schengen System, if they themselves have a frontier towards Gibraltar.  But yet following EU standards this type of frontiers should no longer exist in the EU.

Thanking you in advance

Mr Karon Joseph Cano

STUDENT  

Answer
Dear Mr Cano

Thanks for your e-mail.  Given your academic interest, I am sure you know a great deal more about the Schengen Accord than I do.  My impression is that there have been a number of anomalies in its operation - including certain nations exercising their right to temporarily 'opt out'. Obviously it is quite legitimate for Spain to maintain a frontier with Gibraltar whilst Britain remains outside Schengen, although the way it is policed is rightly a matter of debate.

As you are probably aware, the debate in the UK is shifting now with the UK government indicating more interest in Schengen and its protocols for sharing police intelligence between EU nations.  Nevertheless, this will be a very hotly contested political issue, as New Labour is also leading a crusade against 'bogus' asylum seekers and the opposition Conservative Party will accuse Blair of abandoning proper protection against illegal immigration.  Before the last General Election, New Labour opposed Schengen on the grounds that it was a secretive treaty and not very much open to democratic scrutiny.

I hope the above is of interest.

Best wishes

Phil Woodford