Turkey: Zaman Newspaper

Lord Morris of Aberavon Excerpts

Wednesday 9th March 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Con)]

My Lords—

[Lord Morris of Aberavon (Lab)]

My Lords—

[The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Stowell of Beeston) (Con)]

My Lords, I am sure that two distinguished Members of this House can, between them, decide whom to give way to.

[Lord Morris of Aberavon]

My Lords, has any estimate been made, to the nearest million, of the number of Turks who might be eligible to enter the European Union—and, ultimately, the United Kingdom—without visas?

[Baroness Anelay of St Johns]

My Lords, the noble and learned Lord refers to one of the issues that was under discussion after the summit had concluded its official session on Monday. The question of whether visa restrictions will be lifted within the Schengen area is now being considered and a proposal will be brought forward at the next European Council meeting, which I believe will be on 16 or 17 March. I repeat that that is for the Schengen area only and not for here, and therefore I suggest that it is a little premature to try to estimate how many Turks will avail themselves of it.