HC Deb 13 December 1965 vol 722 cc899-902
21. Mr. Dance

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the present state of relations between Gibraltar and Spain, with particular regard to movement between the two countries over the La Linea border.

28. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a further statement on the present relations between Gibraltar and Spain, and on his plans for bringing that dispute to an end.

42. Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet studied the Spanish Government's Red Book; and if, as a result, talks will be held with Spain about the frontier restrictions imposed upon Gibraltar.

Mr. Padley

On 4th December, the Spanish Government published a "Red Book" on Gibraltar. It contains no proposals for talks about the frontier restrictions but indicates that the Spanish Government wish to have negotiations about the whole future of Gibraltar. It consists of over 500 pages and is now under study.

On 7th December, the British representative in voting for a resolution of the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly of the United Nations which invited the United Kingdom and Spain to begin without delay talks about Gibraltar, made it clear that Her Majesty's Government remain ready to entertain proposals for such talks as soon as a normal situation is restored on the frontier.

As regards movement between Gibraltar and Spain I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 28th October.

Mr. Dance

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that life in the past for the people of Gibraltar has been extremely difficult and that, if this border question persists in the future, life will become intolerable? Does he agree that stronger action should be taken with the Spanish Government now so as to give some encouragement to the people of Gibraltar that their future will be a little more comfortable?

Mr. Padley

I agree entirely with the hon. Gentleman in his expression of solidarity with the loyal British subjects of Gibraltar. Her Majesty's Government have given substantial economic and technical assistance to make the Gibraltar economy viable in the face of threats from Spain. We have not, up to now, taken the view that action other than action designed to build up a strong Gibraltar economy was the practical policy to pursue, and this remains our view, although, if some of the statements and threats contained in the Red Book were carried out, we might revise our view.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Does my hon. Friend realise that his view should not be fogged by the Red Book to which he has referred so much and that a settlement of this dispute is anxiously awaited by thousands of British citizens as well as by many Gibraltarians whose trade, industry and commerce, including the tourist trade, depend on a settlement at a very early date? Will he make clear that he stands by the solidarity of the British position?

Mr. Padley

The answer to that is, Yes.

Mr. Fisher

Will the hon. Gentleman recognise that these frontier restrictions have been in operation now for well over a year, to the grave prejudice of the people of Gibraltar, and through no fault of theirs? Has not the time come for Her Majesty's Government to take some political as opposed to economic initiative to try to resolve the deadlock?

Mr. Padley

As I have explained on countless occasions in the House, the truth is that we have been taking political initiatives for well over a year.

Mr. Fisher

Very ineffective.

Mr. Padley

I remind the hon. Gentleman, when he says that the restrictions have been in operation since October, 1964, that they go back, at least in my period in the House, to the visit of Her Majesty the Queen in 1954.

Mr. Albert Roberts

Does my hon. Friend think that the Spanish Government are doing something which they should not do in imposing these measures at the frontier?

Mr. Padley

We have repeatedly made clear that we think that before there can be talks as called for by the resolution of the Fourth Committee of the United Nations, these restrictions at the frontier must be raised. So the answer to that question is, Yes.

Mr. Soames

Have Her Majesty's Government had any reaction from the Spanish Government to the United Nations resolution and to the words of Her Majesty's Government's representative at the United Nations? If the answer to that is "No", will the hon. Gentleman make representations to the Spanish Government to the effect that Her Majesty's Government would like to hear what their reactions are?

Mr. Padley

Seven weeks ago, Her Majesty's ambassador in Madrid had discussions with the Spanish Foreign Minister, but, up to now, we have had no response to those discussions. There has not been time since the latest discussions at the United Nations for a further exchange of views.