GIBRALTAR (DISTURBANCES) (Hansard, 5 July 1965)

§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Anthony Greenwood)
A demonstration took place in Gibraltar last Friday when a crowd of about 700 people, many of them youths, gathered at the frontier at about 4.0 p.m. The crowd gathered to support a number of French subjects who were delayed at the frontier as a result of the restrictions imposed by the Spanish authorities. When the frontier gates closed at 11.30 p.m. the crowd moved to the Governor's residence where the Governor met some of the demonstrators and at their request made an appearance on the balcony.
Some of the demonstrators later went to the residences of the Chief Minister and the Flag Officer, Gilbraltar, before dispersing at about 2.0 a.m. No one was hurt during this demonstration and no damage was done except to a few panes of glass.
The Governor informs me this morning that there have been no further incidents.

§ Sir F. Bennett
Will the Secretary of State accept from an eye witness—I think, the only one from this House—of what occurred that, if anything, the statement which he has made does not fairly describe the extent to which feelings expressed themselves on that occasion and that the Gibraltar authorities themselves gave me an estimate of nearer 2,000 people? I assure the right hon. Gentleman that they were not only youths. It was a substantial body of people, comprising every age.
Moreover, does the right hon. Gentleman realise—I am sorry to ask him this, but the matter is regarded seriously there—that this is not just an isolated incident which can be dismissed as being a gathering of youths, but represents a real feeling of growing frustration which could turn to bitterness?
Does the Secretary of State realise that additional problems have been caused by the fact that following the restrictions on 1121 the French, very high-level representations were conducted through the French authorities with the result that thereafter all the French were allowed through freely yesterday, with only a minute or two for each car, whereas the British and Gibraltarians were kept waiting an hour at a time, as has happened in the past?
This discrimination between what the French authorities have done for their subjects and what we in Gibraltar have done has not made a good impression. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the banners at the meeting carried the slogan, "Less talk, Mr. Wilson. More action"? Can the right hon. Gentleman do something to endorse the view of the Gibraltarians?

§ Mr. Greenwood
The difference between the French situation and our own is that this is a purely seasonal increase in the number of French people involved, whereas ours continues throughout the year. As to numbers involved in the disturbance, I was not trying to mislead the House. This is the information with which the Governor has supplied us. I did not say that the crowd consisted only of youths, but said that many of them were youths.
I think that all of us share the view expressed by the hon. Member about the strength of feeling. In spite of the character of his more recent remarks, I should like to thank him for the help which he gave on Friday night. The strength of the feeling is, however, something which we all share, and the fact that this feeling exists shows that the Spanish authorities are not being successful in intimidating the people of Gibraltar.

§ Mr. Sandys
Realising the difficulty of this problem, we on this side have not pressed the Government. Does not the Secretary of State recognise, however, that continued total inaction by the Government is now becoming quite intolerable? Will he either announce some kind of retaliatory action to bring pressure upon the Spanish Government, or, alternatively, make a statement to the House explaining the various measures which he has considered and why he has rejected them?

§ Mr. Greenwood
The wider question of our relations with Spain is a matter 1122 for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I suggest that a Question be put to him. The policy of Her Majesty's Government was stated very plainly in the House on 18th June by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign Office. The broad view of Her Majesty's Government is that a policy of obstruction and harassing of the kind the Spanish are carrying on is not the way we should adopt to deal with this situation. [Interruption.] We are taking the proper diplomatic action.
As we have explained on a number of occasions, and as the right hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well, the steps which we are taking inside Gibraltar are to build up her economy and to make Gibraltar as far as possible free from dependence on Spain.

§ Mr. Murray
Would my right hon. Friend consult with his colleagues and ensure that, in a tricky situation like this, admirals do not appear dressed in polo clothes going through the frontier in front of people who are facing these difficulties?

§ Mr. Thorpe
Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that these matters are symptomatic of the anger and frustration which is felt by the people of Gibraltar? Would he answer three questions? First, is there continued discrimination against British passports issued by the Government of Gibraltar as opposed to those issued by Her Majesty's Government? Secondly, are Spanish workers still allowed in with work permits and are they having no difficulty in obtaining such permits? Thirdly, are these workers compelled to export all of the sterling they earn into Spain without spending it in the Colony?
Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that if we were to take counter-economic measures they would hit Spain harder than Gibraltar? Will he see to it that the Spaniards are left in no doubt that our patience is beginning to become exhausted?

§ Mr. Greenwood
It is true that the money earned must be exported to Spain. The difficulty is that if one considers retaliatory measures one has difficulty in finding measures which would not harm the people of Gibraltar as much as, if 1123 not more than, the people of Spain. We believe that at this stage retaliatory measures are undesirable.

§ Mr. J. Amery
Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that the Spanish Government published figures yesterday which showed that Britain is her second best client in the world? While we all want to see the best possible trading relations going on, should we not keep in mind the importance of using every opportunity where trading matters are concerned to safeguard the interests of our fellow subjects in Gibraltar?

§ Mr. Greenwood
Yes, Sir. We are doing that. The right hon. Gentleman, on 15th April, very rightly said that this was a matter which called for patience and firmness. We are showing both.