§ 1. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a statement about Her Majesty's Government's future policy with regard to Gibraltar.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. John Stonehouse)I have nothing to add to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on Tuesday and by the Foreign Secretary on Monday.
§ Mr. WallWould the Minister say when the present constitutional committee sitting in Gibraltar will report, and will he give the assurance, for which we have been asking, that there will be no change in the sovereignty of Gibraltar without the express wish of the people of Gibraltar?
§ Mr. StonehouseIt would be most unwise to make any statement about the constitutional position in Gibraltar except to say that we are not at present proposing to make any progress in this in any way; particularly at this stage it would be unwise as talks are being conducted with the Spanish. On the second point, I can only repeat what the Prime Minister has told the House—that we have no doubt about our sovereignty. We hope that these talks will be resumed soon.
§ Sir F. BennettIf the Minister is able today to give us the reassurance that we are absolutely sure about the position in respect of sovereignty, why will not he or one of his right hon. Friends state that we have no intention whatever of relinquishing it?
§ Mr. StonehouseBecause, as the Prime Minister has explained to the House on numerous occasions, the constitutional position is that the United Kingdom must negotiate. In view of that position it would be quite unwise for us to give the sort of assurance that is being requested. I think that the House will have been delighted to see reported this morning a statement by the Chief Minister in Gibraltar that he has every confidence in the way in which the talks are being conducted. I think that this will put at rest some of the fears that are now being aroused.