Everywhere the issue poses serious questions about human rights and racism, and whether national social and employ ment strategies are coordinated with immigration policies. With ageing populations, plummeting birthrates and high pension costs, EU governments recognise that the old policies aimed at zero immigration are no longer an answer. All, however, face problems if they move to forge common policies. In Britain the talk is now of immigration management instead of immigration control, but still the government refuses to join the EU's Schengen system of passport-free travel. In Brussels, the EU's headquarters, the strategy is to seek alternatives to policies that compel people to risk illegal entry.
Ministers are to discuss progress when they meet in Sweden next month.
They really have to be handled on a European level. But this is not an area where it is easy to set common standards, like you can with plugs or microwaves.