§ 19. Mr. Doddsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in the discussions concerning the improvement of the port facilities of Gibraltar.
§ The Minister of State for Colonial Affairs (Mr. Henry Hopkinson)This project was discussed last month with the Governor when he was in London. Various technical questions arising out of the consulting engineers' report have since been examined in detail with the Service Departments concerned, and I am now asking the Governor for his further views on the financial and technical aspects of the proposals.
§ Mr. DoddsWhile thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him whether the Admiralty has made up its mind yet about allocating private oil tankerage at the Rock of Gibraltar, which is so badly needed for the economic life of the Rock?
§ Mr. HopkinsonYes, Sir. The Admiralty has been considering the question of private bunkering or bunker-age for commercial purposes. At a meeting of the Gibraltar Co-Ordinating Committee on 7th of this month it was decided that the Minister of Fuel and Power should be asked to assist in further discussions with the two oil companies concerned.
§ Mr. DoddsHow long will it now be before the final decision is made so that the provision can be used?
§ Mr. HopkinsonThe hon. Gentleman can rest assured that we shall press on with this.