HC Deb 13 April 1967 vol 744 cc1374-8

Mr. Maudling (by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Spanish Government's threat to impede the use of the airfield at Gibraltar.

The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Herbert Bowden)

An Order was published in Madrid on 12th April establishing a zone in which all flying will be prohibited, allegedly in accordance with Article 9 of the Chicago Convention. This zone is in the immediate vicinity of Gibraltar.

The decree declared that the reason for the prohibition was "for the basic reasons of national security". The decree is to take effect one month after its notification to the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

The text of the decree and the charts attached to it will require careful study to see whether the decree would have any practical effect on flights in and out of Gibraltar. After this study, a further statement will be made.

We, of course, Mr. Speaker, intend to uphold to the full our right to use the airfield at Gibraltar.

In view of this new development, which I greatly deplore, we have decided to postpone the talks on Gibraltar which were due to be held with Spain in London next week. The Spanish Ambassador has been informed.

As regards our general policy on Gibraltar, the House will know that the Minister of State recently had discussions with the Governor, and with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar and his deputy. At these talks complete agreement was reached on the policy and course of action to be followed. But the House will obviously not expect me to elaborate on this matter at this stage.

Mr. Maudling

This is a very serious matter for Gibraltar. We on this side welcome the Secretary of State's affirmation of the Government's determination to protect the right of peaceful access to Gibraltar. As this danger has been well known as a possibility for a long time to all concerned, what plans have the Government made in advance to prepare against it?

Mr. Bowden

Contingency planning is going on, and has been for some time. It is regrettable that the Spanish Government, who could have used the talks that should have taken place next week to discuss this position, did not do so, but, two or three days before, made this announcement.

Sir G. de Freitas

Does my right hon. Friend agree that although we should rely on international law in this matter, where our case is very strong, we should also emphasise the fact that what Spain is presuming to do is to prevent British aircraft from using British territory?

Mr. Bowden

Whether or not this proposal has any effect at all on flights into and out of Gibraltar, it is obviously the Spaniards' intention for it to do so, but, as I have already said, we propose to continue these flights.

Sir F. Bennett

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that the last series of talks was preceded by a very similar act of harassment, and that many of us at that time warned of the danger of holding talks under duress? Will the Minister now take note that this is not a matter just for the present, but for the future, too?

Mr. Bowden

The question whether or not the talks should be resumed at a later date is a matter for us, and we shall have to watch developments. I would urge the House not to press me on the question of the position regarding flying rights over what are alleged to be Spanish territorial waters until we have had an opportunity to study the charts.

Mr. George Jeger

Is it not time that the Government reviewed their previous decision and decided to take reprisals against Spain?

Mr. Bowden

I do not think that the question of retaliation and reprisals arises at this stage.

Mr. Thorpe

Is it not a fact that the Spanish Government have to justify this claimed zoning before the Convention? If so, may we take it that Her Majesty's Government will be resisting this and instructing our personnel to do so?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say more about the postponed talks? Is it not a fact that this action was a deliberate attempt to get the talks cancelled? Since the case for Her Majesty's Government is a very strong one, does he not think that we should review the question of having talks even before this is settled?

Mr. Bowden

We have never agreed that we have infringed Spanish rights in flying in and out of Gibraltar.

On the question of talks, I think that we must see the charts first and what effect they have on the territorial waters before a decision is taken by Her Majesty's Government on whether there would be value in further talks.

Sir J. Langford-Holt

Will the right hon. Gentleman make clear what is involved? Am I right in assuming that it is not just the convenience of aircraft approaching Gibraltar, but of safety in landing and taking off?

Mr. Bowden

Of course, the question of safety in landing and taking off is being closely studied, but what the Spaniards intend under the Order, provided that it is upheld under the Convention, is to declare a prohibited area in which flights should not take place.

Mr. Luard

Is it the intention of Her Majesty's Government, if and when talks are reopened, to impose any conditions on the reopening of the talks?

Mr. Bowden

That is too hypothetical a point to decide at this stage, We must see the charts we expect from the Spanish Government and study them closely.

Mr. Wall

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that every time Anglo-Spanish talks have been initiated the Spanish Government have imposed new restrictions on Gibraltar which have been particularly designed to check the growing tourist trade to Gibraltar? Will he give an undertaking which can be heard by intending tourists that these restrictions will not be allowed to stop the tourist programme and people going to Gibraltar this year by air?

Mr. Bowden

I certainly hope that people intending to take their holidays through Gibraltar into Spain this year will not defer their holidays, because flights by B.E.A. and B.U.A. will continue.

Mr. Orme

Will my right hon. Friend inform the Spanish Government that Her Majesty's Government are prepared to take economic action against the Spanish Government, particularly in regard to tourism, which could greatly damage their economy? They ought to be warned of this.

Mr. Bowden

No. I would prefer not to discuss retaliation at this stage. It is wrong to get into that sort of attitude. I have said that I hope the tourist trade will continue.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that if the Spanish Government come forward with a proposal to allow civil airliners but not military aircraft to operate he will have none of it? Will he give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will not weaken on the assurance that he has given this afternoon?

Mr. Bowden

It is our intention that both civil and military flights shall continue.

Mr. E. L. Mallalieu

In view of the fact that this latest action of the Spanish Government was probably a provocation which was intended to make the British Government withdraw from the talks, can my right hon. Friend be a little more forthcoming in giving the reasons why he thought it desirable to postpone them?

Mr. Bowden

It is very difficult to continue these general talks, which have arisen from the United Nations resolution of 20th December and which could have included matters of this sort—the question of delimitation and drawing of areas of territorial waters round Gibraltar—when the Spanish Government have made an issue and a proclamation of this sort three or four days before they were to take place.

Mr. Heath

We welcome the Commonwealth Secretary's firm insistence that these flights, military and civil, shall continue. Can he volunteer a further statement to the House when he has had an opportunity of considering the charts and the legal implications?

Mr. Bowden

Yes, Sir. I said that in my original reply.