Situation

HC Deb 27 May 1965 vol 713 cc819-21

9. Mr. Gregor Mackenzie

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the current situation concerning Gibraltar.

10. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in recent weeks in the settling of the Gibraltar question.

16. Mr. J. Amery

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a further statement on the situation in Gibraltar.

Mrs. White

There has been no change of any significance in the situation at the frontier from that set out in the White Paper presented to Parliament last month, and I am sorry to say that, so far, no progress has been made in achieving a settlement of the question. No new restrictions have been imposed since early in March.

Mr. Mackenzie

When can we expect to have a report on economic development on the Rock, which seems to most people to be most important for the well-being of the Gibraltarians?

Mrs. White

As I have already told the House, consideration of the report of the economic adviser to my right hon. Friend is being undertaken by the Gibraltar Government. We are not yet in a position to inform that Government of their allocation under the new Overseas Development Bill, as it has taken rather a long time in Committee. When we are able to do so, we shall let them know how much assistance under that Measure will be available.

Mr. Hamilton

Will my hon. Friend assure the House that the interests of the Gibraltarians are being adequately safeguarded by Her Majesty's Government, and can she say when the Government will take retaliatory action instead of just sitting idly by allowing the Spanish to impose and continue to impose these irritating restrictions?

Mrs. White

We have made perfectly clear that it is our intention to safeguard the interests of the inhabitants of Gibraltar. If my hon. Friend will consider carefully the possibilities of retaliatory action, he will realise that most of them also have disadvantages. We have not ruled out the possibility of retaliatory action, but I do not think that, in the present circumstances, it is desirable.

Mr. J. Amery

First, will the hon. Lady consider publishing the Selwyn report, as I think it was called, on the ways by which Gibraltar might be made less dependent on Spain economically? Second, what representations have been made to the Spanish Government since we last discussed this matter in the House on the Adjournment for the Easter Recess?

Mrs. White

The report is one to the Government of Gibraltar and it is for them to decide. It was not, I think, intended for publication, and in any case it is not our direct responsibility. As regards further communications with the Spanish Government, two Notes have been addressed to them, on passports and on passes for workers, through my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. I understand that replies to both are still awaited.

Sir H. Studholme

When the Secretary of State entertained the members of the United Nations Special Committee on Colonialism here last week, was the question of Gibraltar discussed? Is the hon. Lady aware that there is great resentment in the country that these people, most of whom are bitter enemies of Britain and advocate the immediate handing over of Gibraltar to Spain, should have been entertained by the right hon. Gentleman and Lord Brockway at the taxpayers' expense?

Mrs. White

The remark to which the hon. Gentleman refers was not made to us on that occasion. It was made, we understand, purely personally, to some Press representatives afterwards. [Interruption.] Had it been made to me, I should have known what reply to give. [HON. MEMBERS: "What about a reply now?"] If hon. Members want to ask questions, I should be obliged if they would rise in their places because I am finding it very difficult to hear these informal supplementaries. We understand that the remark in question was made purely privately by a gentleman from Venezuela.