§ 26. Mr. Doddsasked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the dissatisfaction in Gibraltar at the slow progress being made in respect of the provision a new military quarters in the South, thereby holding up the release of premises and land in the town area urgently required for civilian use, what action he proposes to take to accelerate the work; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ProfumoI am as anxious as the hon. Gentleman to see progress on the Military Town Plan in Gibraltar. Our object is to make available as much property as possible for the Colonial Government by concentrating our buildings. The delay has been due to the unavoidable necessity for revising the plan, but a start has now been made and the first buildings should be completed by the middle of next year.
§ Mr. DoddsI thank the right hon. Gentleman for that statement, which will be welcomed in Gibraltar. Will he bear in mind that there is no more loyal community in the Commonwealth than in Gibraltar, whose civilian progress is being held up because it has waited so long for the Army to move to the south side of the island? Will he do all he can to expedite that, when he will be assured of the deep appreciation of the people of Gibraltar?
§ Mr. ProfumoI am grateful to the hon. Member, but I hope he realises that the Army is doing great service in Gibraltar itself.