HC Deb 27 February 1957 vol 565 cc1217-8
22. Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in the efforts to improve relations between Spain and Gibraltar in the best interests of the Spanish people and Gibraltarians.

33. Mr. G. Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there has been any improvement in the restrictions imposed by the Spanish Government against Gibraltar; and whether he will make a statement.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd)

I regret to say that the position regarding Spanish restrictions on intercourse between Gibraltar and Spain remains essentially as stated in my reply to the hon. Member of 6th June last. Her Majesty's Government have left the Spanish Government in no doubt that they consider these restrictions harmful to the interests of Spain and Gibraltar and also to the relations between Spain and the United Kingdom.

Mr. Dodds

Is the Foreign Secretary not aware that for a long time this hard-pressed community in Gibraltar have felt that Her Majesty's Government have not done everything that they might have done to help them in their problems? Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman not also appreciate that when the people of Gibraltar read of arrangements being made between this country and Spain on other matters, they wonder whether Gibraltar's interests are being forgotten?

Mr. Lloyd

Certainly, we are not forgetful of Gibraltar's interests, and we are constantly raising these matters. In one or two respects we have procured some slight alleviations. For example, one was procured on 13th February with regard to the rate at which currency could be exchanged, and we shall continue to press to try to get alleviation of what I have described before as really very petty restrictions.

Mr. Jeger

Does the Foreign Secretary not realise that the best way of bringing pressure to bear upon the Spanish Government to withdraw many of these petty restrictions would be in connection with the Anglo-Spanish trade talks, in which we could use our influence and our trade against Spain? Why does the right hon. and learned Gentleman not use his influence with the President of the Board of Trade to get something done in that direction?

Mr. Lloyd

I think that the House and Governments formed by both parties have had certain experience of trying to bring pressure to bear on the Spanish Government and people. I do not think that it is always the wisest way of getting an answer to talk in terms of using our influence against Spain. We have tried to promote better relations between Spain and this country. As I have said, something has been done in that direction. One of the things which stands in the way of a further improvement is the continuance of these petty restrictions.