§ 15. Mr. G. Jegerasked the Minister of Defence whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the future of Gibraltar.
§ Mr. SandysI do not know what kind of statement the hon. Member has in mind.
§ Mr. JegerIf the right hon. Gentleman will do me the honour of looking at the OFFICIAL REPORT of a few months ago, he will discover that I asked the same Question in the summer and received the stalling Answer that he was not then in a position to make a statement, but would do so in due course, about the future of the dockyards and our defence position in Gibraltar, which is causing considerable uncertainty to those who work there and to the inhabitants of that very loyal Colony.
§ Mr. SandysWhen the hon. Gentleman referred to a statement about the future of Gibraltar, that seemed to be a rather wider subject. I want to make it clear that Gibraltar is British, its inhabitants wish to remain British, and there is no question of discussing its future any more than the future of Portland Bill. As I explained to the hon. Member in reply to his earlier Question—it was not a stalling Answer—I have had full discussions with the Governor and the Service commanders and I think that we have made satisfactory arrangements for the defence of Gibraltar.