France's controversial expulsion of hundreds of ethnic Romas from its territory is set to be debated by the European Parliament during its first plenary session after the summer recess.

Parliament will discuss with the Commission whether the deportation of hundreds of Roma people this summer from France to Romania and Bulgaria breached EU provisions on freedom of movement and fundamental rights.

The debate will give the EU's justice commissioner, Viviane Reding, the opportunity to make her first public statement since ordering an investigation on whether France's measures respect EU law.

Last week the European Commission criticized France over its expulsions of Roma and demanded more information about the crackdown.

An interim report by the commission - the EU's executive arm - said the French policy does not put enough emphasis on the individual circumstances of Roma facing expulsion.

The interim report, signed by three EU commissioners, said the commission wants France to explain "whether and to what extent the safeguards required... have been applied" as far as the Roma are concerned.

The commission said that before expulsion a person's age, health and time spent in France all need to be considered.

Almost 8,300 Romanian and Bulgarian nationals have now been expelled from France since the beginning of the year. Close to 10,000 were expelled in 2009.

French officials have said the deportations are part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration. Additional chartered flights are scheduled for September 14 and 30.

The crackdown has sparked major criticism at home and abroad. Former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin said Sarkozy's policies had left a "stain of shame" on the French flag and were a "national indignity."

Roma from Romania and Bulgaria are allowed free passage into France if they are European Union citizens. After that, however, they must find work, start studies, or find some other way of becoming established in France or risk deportation.

The European Commission report came shortly after Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding voiced concern about the French expulsions.

"It is clear that those who break the law need to face the consequences. It is equally clear that nobody should face expulsion just for being Roma," she said on August 25.

"There is a broad consensus in Europe that what is needed now are concrete and forward-looking measures to improve the social integration of Roma.

"We need, in particular, to tackle the root causes leading Roma to abandon their homes and move across borders."

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