§ 15. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a further statement on the progress of the Anglo-Spanish talks about Gibraltar.
§ 65. Mr. George Jegerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress is being made in the talks with Spain; and whether he will make a statement.
§ 71. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the breakdown of the talks with Spain on the question of the future of Gibraltar.
§ Mr. M. StewartBefore the talks began we made clear to the Spanish Government that the question of Gibraltar could not be discussed solely on the basis of the United Nations General Assembly resolution of last December, which we thought a bad resolution and against which we voted. The Spanish Delegation insisted, as the talks progressed, that no other basis was possible, and this prevented any real progress from being made.
Our delegation made it clear that our primary concern was with the interests of the people of Gibraltar. We regret that the Spanish attitude made it impossible to create the better atmosphere in which progress might have been made towards a settlement of the Gibraltar problem.
§ Mr. WallThe Anglo-Spanish talks have now ended. Can the Government say what they propose to do about the decolonisation of Gibraltar, as independence is out? Does not integration or close association remain?
§ Mr. StewartThose are possibilities, but I do not think that they immediately arise. As the hon. Gentleman says, the talks are now at an end.
§ Mr. JegerIs it not obvious that the talks with Spain about Gibraltar bring us nothing but snubs and humiliations? Is it not time that the Government considered retaliation against the acts of Spain to the detriment of Gibraltar?
§ Mr. StewartIn order to consider that, one has also to consider a form of action which would be useful and helpful. I am not sure that this is readily available. Meanwhile, we have been concerned to give, and have given, quite substantial help to the economy of Gibraltar.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyWhile recognising the delicacy of this matter, is it not about time that the Government showed General Franco and his Government that we can take the initiative from this country, whatever it might be, instead of always tagging along behind and letting the world think that they always get the best in any discussions that take place?
§ Mr. StewartI do not think that that is so or that they always get the best in the discussions that take place. If the hon. Gentleman has read some of the accounts that have been placed in the Library from time to time he will have seen that we have stated our position on the matter clearly and convincingly.