§ 15. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give an estimate of the extent to which civilian employment in Gibraltar is likely to be reduced due to changes in defence arrangements; and what steps he is taking to provide alternative employment.
§ Mr. H. FraserThe altered defence arrangements proposed for Gibraltar will, I am afraid, entail some reduction and switching of the civilian employment offered by the Services there. The precise degree of this, the timing of it, and the provision of alternative employment are the subject of current study and discussion.
§ Mr. ThomsonIs the Minister aware that figures have been produced from Gibraltar showing that the redundancy may be as much as 17 per cent.? Is he aware that Gibraltar is a Colony which has shown particular loyalty to this country, and will the Colonial Office show a good deal more urgency than it has so far, and give priority to the rights of Gibraltar citizens and not attempt to appease General Franco and the Spaniards too much over this problem?
§ Mr. FraserThis matter certainly has my most earnest attention at the moment, I can assure the hon. Member. As regards priorities, we will give preference over aliens to Gibraltarians, provided that they have the skills and are of the right age group. Clearly, one of the ways of dealing with the redundancy problem would be to retire persons over a certain age.