Parliamentary questions
15 March 2011 E-002450/2011
Question for written answer
to the Commission
Rule 117
Sophia in ’t Veld (ALDE) and Marietje Schaake (ALDE)
Subject: ‘Disclosure Scotland’ procedure
For Dutch secondary school pupils, it is compulsory to do a certain amount of socially useful work. Dutch pupils who wish to obtain the International Baccalaureate must undergo ‘European and International Orientation’. Those seeking to comply with this requirement in Scotland are required by the Scottish authorities to obtain a Disclosure Scotland certificate.
By order of the Scottish authorities, the Disclosure Scotland procedure is compulsory for anyone embarking on a new job in Scotland or wishing to perform voluntary work there. The same requirement applies to a secondary school pupil who wishes to go on a two-week placement. The resulting document contains information about a person’s past, including any crimes they may have committed and other relevant information. It is intended to inform a future employer or organisation whether a person’s behaviour makes it undesirable for them to take a particular post.
The Scottish authorities do not accept the Dutch equivalent, the ‘Verklaring omtrent gedrag’ (certificate of good behaviour). Moreover, the Disclosure Scotland certificate can only be obtained in Scotland.
1. Is the Commission aware of this situation in Scotland?
2. Does this requirement constitute an obstacle to the free movement of persons and workers?
3. Does the refusal to recognise the Dutch certificate of good behaviour represent an obstacle to the free movement of persons and workers?
4. Does this requirement stand in the way of the objective of promoting the European knowledge economy?
Please find the answer here.
