Future

HC Deb 20 December 1966 vol 738 cc1159-61

16. Mr. Tapsell

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, following the refusal of the Spanish Government to submit their claim to Gibraltar to the World Court, Her Majesty's Government will reaffirm their pledge of full support to the people of Gibraltar in their wish to determine their own future.

Mr. Frederick Lee

We will continue to recognise the principle that the interests of the people of Gibraltar are paramount.

Mr. Tapsell

Cannot the Secretary of State be a little more categorical? Is it not extraordinary that when, ever since the Durham Report, this House of Commons has supported the principle of self-determination for peoples within the Commonwealth, the right hon. Gentleman finds it so difficult to say this explicitly in the House?

Mr. Lee

We have to take into account what is happening at the United Nations. I believe that so far the method by which Her Majesty's Government have decided to conduct this matter has not been unsuccessful. The fact that Spain decided not to avail herself of our invitation speaks for itself.

Mr. Wilkins

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that if right hon. and hon. Members who have been questioning him this afternoon about Gibraltar were to attend the report-back meeting of the recent delegation, they might receive even more enlightenment than has been imparted to them already?

Mr. Wingfield Digby

Why cannot our delegation at the United Nations say more about the pressure which is being exerted on Gibraltarians at the frontier and the hardship which they are suffering? Why cannot this be mentioned?

Mr. Lee

I hope that the hon. Member will read the latest reports of what went on. I should have thought that Lord Caradon and his colleagues were to be congratulated on a very fine job of work.

Mr. Maudling

Cannot the Secretary of State make it quite clear this afternoon on behalf of Her Majesty's Government that there can be no question whatever of any transfer of sovereignty against the wishes of the people of Gibraltar?

Mr. Lee

I cannot go further than I have gone—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—really, this is quite unreasonable. We have now reached a situation in which, I would have thought, there was greater knowledge at the United Nations of our side of the case than ever before. I hope that hon. Members will not try to destroy it.

Mr. Maudling

This is a very simple, clear question. Will the Secretary of State, or will he not, confirm that Her Majesty's Government are not contemplating transferring the sovereignty of Gibraltar against the wishes of Gibraltar's inhabitants?

Mr. Lee

If we were contemplating transferring that sovereignty, we would have had no need to go all through this formula in the first place.