HC Deb 25 April 1966 vol 727 cc346-8
27. Mr. George Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who will be conducting the conference with the Spanish representatives on Gibraltar; whether an agenda has been fixed; and whether representatives of the people of Gibraltar will participate in the conference.

Mr. M. Stewart

Talks will begin between the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs and myself on 18th May. An agenda has not been fixed. The parties to the talks are Her Majesty's Government and the Spanish Government.

Mr. Jeger

Is my right hon. Friend aware that only the first part of his Answer can be regarded as satisfactory? Would he give a guarantee to the House that no decision will be arrived at without the full agreement of the Gibraltar people and of Parliament?

Mr. Stewart

I should make it quite clear that, although owing to the status of Gibraltar the discussions have to take place between the Spanish Government and ourselves, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies will be having talks with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar and his Deputy before the discussion with the Spanish Government begins, and we shall be very well aware of their views and pay very considerable respect to them.

Sir F. Bennett

Would the Foreign Secretary now confirm once and for all that, whatever the formal agenda may be, no question whatsoever will arise at these talks affecting the future sovereignty of Gibraltar—yes or no?

Mr. Stewart

I cannot predict what will be discussed at the talks, but I want to repeat what I have said before, that we have no doubt as to our rights of sovereignty over Gibraltar.

Mr. Fisher

As the circumstances of these talks are very similar indeed to those which the right hon. Gentleman conducted with Venezuela about her claims to part of British Guiana, at which I understand the Premier of British Guiana, a Colony at that time, was present, why cannot the Gibraltar Ministers be present at these Anglo-Spanish talks?

Mr. Stewart

The hon. Gentleman will agree that the situation was somewhat different. The independence of British Guiana was merely a few months ahead at the time those talks were in progress, and there is no similar position with regard to Gibraltar. The hon. Gentleman may have noticed that he has quoted what we may hope will be a fortunate parallel, since those discussions ended to the entire satisfaction of all the parties concerned, including British Guiana.

Sir G. Nabarro

Whereas neither side of the House has any doubt about our sovereignty over Gibraltar, will the Foreign Secretary make it perfectly clear that he does not intend at any future date to try to change that sovereignty?

Mr. Stewart

I think I have made this point clear in several Answers, both today and earlier.

Sir G. Nabarro

The right hon. Gentleman has not.

Sir A. V. Harvey

In any discussions which take place, will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that he will completely ignore the Spanish red book which was issued to all hon. Members in the last Parliament?

Mr. Stewart

I do not know about ignoring it in the sense of ignoring its existence. I have already made clear to the House what view we take of the arguments and views there advanced.