HC Deb 05 May 1966 vol 727 cc1839-41
5. Mr. Edward M. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations he has received from the Government and people of Gibraltar regarding the discussions with Spain on the Colony.

10. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he intends to take concerning the future of Gibraltar.

Mr. Frederick Lee

The Chief Minister of Gibraltar and his Deputy are now in London at my invitation and I am having a discussion with them later today.

Mr. Taylor

Will the Minister be able to give the Chief Minister of Gibraltar an assurance that the people of Gibraltar will be able to decide their own future and that no agreement will be reached with a third party which would deprive them of that right?

Mr. Lee

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary answered that question the other day. We have made it quite clear that we have no doubt whatever about our rights of sovereignty in Gibraltar.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Would the right hon. Gentleman arrange for representatives from Gibraltar to be present as observers and advisers at any consultation and conference between Britain and Spain?

Mr. Lee

I explained on 26th April that Her Majesty's Government were responsible for the external affairs of Gibraltar, and it would therefore not be in accordance with the constitutional position for the territory to be party to the talks with Spain. However, as I have pointed out, I am in close consultation with our friends from Gibraltar and I will keep their views very much in mind.

Mr. Hamilton

Will my right hon. Friend give a categorical assurance that the sovereignty of Gibraltar will not be on the agenda for the talks with Spain?

Mr. Lee

I repeat that our position is that the sovereignty of Gibraltar is not under discussion.

20. Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements he has now made for the Chief Minister of Gibraltar and his Deputy to be available in London for consultation during the Anglo-Spanish talks on Gibraltar.

Mr. Frederick Lee

I shall be discussing arrangements for future consultation with Gibraltar in my talks with the Chief Minister and his Deputy later today and tomorrow.

Mr. Fisher

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as the destiny of their country may well be at stake, many of us on both sides of the House feel that Gibraltar Ministers should be present at the talks, as was the Prime Minister of British Guiana in a similar situation during the talks on Venezuela? Surely they should at least be available for consultation and advice on matters arising out of these talks, and not run the risk of being sold down the river without being told?

Mr. Lee

In the case referred to by the hon. Gentleman, British Guiana was shortly to become independent. No such issue arises with Gibraltar. I thought I had made it clear to the House that we are having the closest consultation with our friends from Gibraltar. I have said that I am seeing them today, and I shall be seeing them again tomorrow. It is not possible to get them into the conference itself—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"]—for the reasons which I have explained. I thought I had made it clear that we are taking an enormous amount of notice of what they say to us, and we will do everything to reflect their point of view.