Table of Precedence (City Councillors)

HC Deb 18 February 1958 vol 582 cc1017-8

14. Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what communication has been received by him, since 1st December, 1957, from Gibraltar expressing dissatisfaction that in the table of precedence, heads of Her Majesty's Government Departments take precedence before the elected city councillors.

Mr. Profumo

No formal communication later than the date mentioned has been received, but I have received a personal letter from the Mayor enclosing a copy of a city council resolution, to which I have replied.

Mr. Dodds

As more people than the mayor are interested in the nature of the reply, would the Under-Secretary of State tell us if that reply will be much more convincing than the one he gave in December? Also, is he not aware that the reply he then gave was very disappointing to the people of Gibraltar, but that, in the hope that common sense will prevail before long, I will refrain from making any caustic comments?

Mr. Profumo

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for refraining. Perhaps he will understand if too, refrain from making any comments.

15. Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what date he replied to the representations of 13th November, 1956, made by the city councillors of Gibraltar in respect of the question of the city councillors and the table of precedence.

Mr. Profumo

It was considered that the matter could most profitably be discussed between the Colonial Office and the Governor in person. The first opportunity for such a discussion arose when the Governor came to London in June, 1957. Owing to a misunderstanding, the outcome of this discussion was not embodied in a formal dispatch until 22nd October. 1957.

Mr. Dodds

Is the Under-Secretary stating that there is now a satisfactory answer to those representations?

Mr. Profumo

I would not like to go as far as to say that the answer will necessarily be satisfactory.

Mr. Dodds

Well, what does the hon. Gentleman think?

Mr. Profumo

As I am in part responsible for the answer, I hope it will be at any rate a satisfactory explanation to those concerned of why this difficult problem has to be considered further before we can make any radical change.