We are responsible for our borders

Dear Sir,

Regarding the final paragraph of Matt Wood's letter in last week's Chronicle, p41 on Ebola Virus.

It is misleading to suggest that being in the EU implies we have less defence against these diseases.

True, as a member of the EU we have free movement of residents from inside it as part of the agreement.

We are not however party to the Schengen Treaty that allows for common borders within the EU and as such are responsible for our own border security as we would be if we were not in it.

What checks we make are entirely up the national government and it is to it that Matt should direct his concerns, not Brussels.

I personally think we should be part of Schengen, as it would free up valuable resources in immigration control and allow them to be targeted at smuggling and terrorism.

This however would require some level of trust of its external borders, something that some would find challenging.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Peter Hirst

Middlewich