§ Lord Hoyleasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any discussions have recently taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the Spanish Government about the status of Gibraltar. [HL2371]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThere are frequent discussions between the Government and the Government of Spain on a range of EU and other foreign policy issues. As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister made clear in another place on 27 March (Official Report, Col. 309W), since 1 January there has been no discussion of the issue of sovereignty over Gibraltar.
§ Lord Hoyleasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any promise has been made to Spain in connection with Gibraltar in return for Spain's support of the American-British position on Iraq. [HL2372]
§ Lord Hoyleasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are their plans to celebrate 300 years of British history in Gibraltar; and whether they have received any request from the Gibraltarians for general assistance on this matter. [HL2532]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanAs my right honourable friend the Minister for Europe answered in another place on 12 March (Official Report, Col 291W), the Government of Gibraltar have established a 2004 Tercentenary Committee. We shall consider carefully the question of UK government participation in commemorative events. There have been informal exchanges between Foreign Office officials and the Gibraltar Government on this matter, but we have received no request for general assistance.