§ 25. Mr. George Jegerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the recent visit of the Under-Secretary of State to Gibraltar; and what action is now being taken to sustain the economy of the Colony.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mrs. Eirene White)Accompanied by my hon. Friends the Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State for Defence for the Army and for the Navy, I visited Gibraltar from 14th to 16th September to examine with the Governor and others concerned questions of land and housing which affect both the Ministry of Defence and the civil economy of Gibraltar. We also met members of the Study Group who are preparing a comprehensive development plan for the Gibraltar Government and discussed the possible implications for the Services of the Study Group's proposals for development.
§ Mr. JegerIs my hon. Friend aware that there is a considerable amount of feeling in Gibraltar that there has been a year of dithering over the protection of the people of this loyal Colony and that they have a right to expect protection and support from the Government? Will she speed up the work of the Study Group?
§ Mrs. WhiteAs I should suppose my hon. Friend would know, the Study Group was appointed by the Gibraltar Government and is working on their direction. It would be foolish for us 339 to intervene until the Gibraltar Government had had an opportunity to discuss the proposals.