§ 3. Mr. Doddsasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what decision has been reached in the consideration given to the allocating of oil bunkering tankerage for commercial purposes in Gibraltar.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasThe technical arrangements for such a scheme are well advanced. A final decision must, however, await the recommendations of the Governor of Gibraltar on the details of the port development scheme and the means of financing it, to which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies referred in the debate on the Adjournment on 31st October.
§ Mr. DoddsWill the First Lord do all he possibly can to get a decision on this matter? Does not he and the members of the Cabinet appreciate that, in the economic field, Gibraltar is fighting for its life, and that it is time something was done to assist Gibraltar to resist the blackmailing tactics of Spain?
§ Mr. ThomasI assure the hon. Gentleman that the Cabinet as a whole is well aware of the importance of Gibraltar. All I can say is that our schemes are well advanced and really we are waiting now for the report of the Governor of Gibraltar. That is a question for the Colonial Office and not for the Admiralty.
§ Mr. G. JegerDoes the Minister appreciate that the frequent changes of Governorship in Gibraltar mean that each succeeding Governor has to consider the scheme afresh? When considering the report of the present Governor, will he take into account the invariable approval of the scheme by the late Governor?
§ Mr. ThomasThe question of the appointment of a Flag Officer to Gibraltar is one for me. The question of the appointment of the Governor is, as the hon. Gentleman must know, one for the Colonial Office.