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Item 3 is on the refugee crisis in the European Union. We have a briefing paper and response letters from the relevant Government ministers and from Europe. Do members have any comments or questions on the responses?
I cannot say that I am particularly impressed with the response that we got from the European Union representative, whoever that is, on the rescue mission in the Mediterranean; it has a paragraph that is a bit waffly. As we know, the rescue mission is continuing, and it is good that an increasing number of member states’ navies are assisting it.
At a round-table meeting, we expressed huge concern about how well co-ordinated the rescue effort is. I am a wee bit disappointed with the response from the EU about that co-ordination. However, I welcome the increase in the number of navies that seem to be participating in the mission in the Mediterranean.
You point out a pertinent and topical issue in the letter. I know that there have been discussions in the past few days about having a type of coastguard service functioning as a rescue service, but I am concerned that that might be about putting up barriers rather than having a search-and-rescue service that supports people. That topic will be discussed at the European Council over the next few days. Willie Coffey is correct to highlight the issue, and we should ask for an update on it in light of the Council discussion in the next few days.
I was going to make a point about the notion of an EU border police or security operation that seems to have emerged over the past two or three days. We need to get some clarity about what is being proposed and how it relates to the issues that we raised with the EU.
Yes—we can bring back a briefing to the committee on that. However, I am concerned about some of the language that has been used over the past few days—for example, it has been said that this is about prevention, borders and barriers. The issue is that people end up building up behind those barriers, and the question then is how we support that situation.
The refugee crisis is being conflated with security issues, particularly with regard to the Paris outrage. We need to tease out the separate elements.
I agree. If there are no further comments, are members happy for us to chase up on the European Commission response?
Members indicated agreement.
On the responses from the UK and Scottish Governments, should we ask for on-going updates?
Members indicated agreement.
That concludes our business in public. Our next meeting will be in the new year. I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful new year.
11:18 Meeting continued in private until 11:26.Previous
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