HC Deb 30 November 1964 vol 703 c21
27. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why the joint British-Spanish naval exercises planned for next month have been cancelled.

Mr. Healey

Provisional arrangements for this joint naval exercise had been under consideration for several months. However, the timing of the exercise was such that the new Government was left with insufficient time to consider fully all the implications. This being so, the Government felt unable to approve this particular exercise going ahead.

Mr. Wall

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman finds it surprising that a proud nation like the Spaniards did not immediately react to this out-of-date political rancour. The people of Gibraltar would be the first to benefit from good Anglo-Spanish relations.

Mr. Healey

I think that on reflection the hon. Member will recognise that it was a great mistake to link recent events in Gibraltar with the British Government's action about the Spanish exercise, particularly as the threats of action in Gibraltar were made at the United Nations during the previous Administration.

Commander Courtney

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why he and his party did not object to the holding of Anglo-Yugoslav exercises under the last Government?

Mr. Healey

The same technical considerations did not arise.