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Mr. Speaker: As the Leader of the House said, we will have an opportunity to debate the matter. Please be assured that I have also complained to the police on behalf of Members and staff who have to put up with the noise and that I shall continue to do so.

Mr. Peter Atkinson (Hexham) (Con): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. The Leader of the House failed to explain why the announcement on the gambling Bill was leaked to the Financial Times and The Times newspapers this morning. To make matters worse, an official spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport was quoted in The Times, which shows the contempt that Government Departments seem to have for the House of Commons. Will you reiterate yet again that such important announcements should be made to the Commons, not the press?

Mr. Speaker: I keep saying that, and on Tuesday I mentioned the press being given advance information. We have a Press Gallery, and excellent correspondents get a pass from the Speaker so that they can be there to hear the case that Ministers make. I do not know why phone calls must be made the night before when they can be here. They seem to enjoy coming here to listen to our debates. The best advice that I can give Ministers is to come to the House of Commons because the press will hear what they have to say.

Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold) (Con): Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker: I would not want to keep pursuing the matter.

Mr. Clifton-Brown: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Ministers of the Crown have consistently ignored your rulings on the situation, if it goes on, will you consider summoning one of them to explain to the House why such a thing has happened? That would set a good precedent for the others.

Mr. Speaker: Sometimes Back Benchers ignore my rulings as well. As the hon. Gentleman knows, I receive requests for urgent questions from time to time and bring Ministers before the House regularly.
 
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BILL PRESENTED

School Transport

Mr. Secretary Clarke, supported by The Prime Minister, Mr. Secretary Prescott, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Secretary Darling, Mr. Secretary Johnson, Mr. Richard Caborn, Mr. Stephen Twigg and Dr. Stephen Ladyman, presented a Bill to make provision for school travel schemes; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time tomorrow, and to be printed. Explanatory notes to be printed. [Bill 162].

 
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EU Justice and Home Affairs

[Relevant document: The Twenty-eighth Report from the European Scrutiny Committee, Session 2003–04, HC 42-xxviii, The EU's Justice and Home Affairs Work Programme for the next five years.]

Mr. Speaker: I inform the House that I have selected the amendment in the name of the Leader of the Opposition.

1.19 pm

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Caroline Flint): I beg to move,

That this House takes note of European Union document No. 10249/04, with ADD 1 and ADD 2, Commission Communication on the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice: assessment of the Tampere Programme and future orientations; notes that the Communication forms the basis of negotiations for the next European Union Justice and Home Affairs Work Programme; and supports the Government's position that the Work Programme should focus on measures that complement the efforts of Member States and will be of most benefit to European Union citizens.

I am pleased that the European Scrutiny Committee managed to secure time to debate this important issue in the Chamber. We live in a world in which crime does not recognise national borders. Although we maintain our right to have national systems of justice and law enforcement in operation, in pursuing criminals and seeking justice we have recognised that by co-operating we on occasion have a good result in foiling those who want to make victims of our citizens, whether they are in the UK or in other parts of the EU. It is important that we discuss the new justice and home affairs work programme because it will guide EU work in this sector for the next five years.

We know that co-operation on counter-terrorism, asylum and immigration and on fighting crime makes a real and positive impact on the lives of UK citizens, but Europe should not be involved for the sake of it. The basis of our engagement with Europe is respect for national sovereignty—a view that is shared by many other member states. The Commission communication is a useful tool to stimulate discussion, but that is all. There is much in it we can support: an emphasis on mutual recognition of judicial decisions rather than harmonisation and a commitment to strengthen efforts on counter-terrorism and on document and border security. However, we do not agree on some things. In that regard, we have much in common with colleagues on the Committee. We are working with others to ensure that concrete proposals reflect UK priorities. We do that by our involvement in positive engagement and by winning support from other Ministers throughout the EU.

Mr. Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath) (Con): As is so often the case with the Government, the Minister gives the impression that there is nothing to worry about. Did she see the superb article about the matter by the distinguished home affairs editor of The Daily Telegraph on Monday this week? He explains that if the House does not kill the document now, what is regarded as simply a discussion document to "take note of" will be pushed through on the nod next time and we will be
 
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stuck with it. When so little comes from the Committee to the Chamber, does she not recognise that it is our responsibility to stop it and to stop it now?

Caroline Flint: I have seen the article and the Conservative party press release parrots the same myths and distortions. It is important to have time in the Chamber to discuss the subject. I strongly believe, as a Home Office Minister and a constituency MP, that in fighting terrorism and crime and, importantly, in tackling abuse of our immigration systems, there are times when we have to work with others across the EU. I make no apology for that.

I shall be clear about dispelling some of the myths that have been put about by papers such as The Daily Telegraph and by the shadow Home Secretary only this morning on the radio—and where is he? It would be nice if he made time to focus on the issues. From his contribution on the "Today" programme, I thought he could do with a bit more briefing.

Keith Vaz (Leicester, East) (Lab): The Minister dealt adequately—in fact, superbly—with the shadow Home Secretary this morning. Tampere is about co-operation. It is not about giving up powers. It is about European partners working together to combat crime and illegal immigration. It has been a success so far. Will she pledge that at the summit, when we have Tampere II, the Government will reinvigorate the agenda to ensure that there is even greater co-operation?

Caroline Flint: I thank my hon. Friend for his kind words. He has my assurance that when it comes to catching criminals, tackling terrorism and dealing with fair migration, but also abusive migration systems, we will wholeheartedly look for ways in which we can co-operate while at the same time preserving what is right for a nation decide to decide on.

Mr. William Cash (Stone) (Con): Will the Minister give way?

Caroline Flint: I want to make some progress—

Mr. Cash: The hon. Lady is going to duck the question.

Caroline Flint: No. In fact I think that I am going to pre-empt it.

My hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) mentioned success. It is important to talk about the situations that affect people's lives. The European arrest warrant has been of practical value at an EU level by ensuring quick and efficient extradition between member states. Already this year, we have contributed to 28 arrests in the UK and returns to other EU countries. Those people have been accused of criminal offences and we have helped the justice process. As a result of our requests, 16 people in other EU countries have been returned to the UK to stand trial. That is important. It is important that when offences are committed against UK citizens there is no place to hide for criminals throughout the EU.
 
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On asylum, Eurodac is a European fingerprinting system. It has helped to reduce asylum shopping and the ability to make multiple claims. Consistently, we return 150 asylum seekers a month because of that co-operation. Applications are also down.

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