§ 13. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the result of his study of the implications of the Spanish extension of air and sea territorial limits for Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FoleyThe decree published by the Spanish Government on 20th January apparently creates a contiguous zone extending six miles from Spanish territorial waters, in which the Spanish authorities may exercise fiscal control for customs purposes. The decree does not appear to be directed against Gibraltar, and cannot in any case affect our existing rights there.
§ Mr. WallWill the hon. Gentleman assure the House that this is not the start of a new squeeze on Gibraltar? Will the hon. Gentleman make it clear to the Spanish Government that we shall not tolerate any interference with air or sea access to Gibraltar?
§ 22. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends to have any further talks with Spain in which the issue of the sovereignty of Gibraltar would remain on the agenda.
§ Mr. FoleyAs my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State told my hon. Friend the Member for Normanton (Mr. Albert Roberts) on 20th January, neither Her Majesty's Government nor the Spanish Government have proposed a renewal of talks. There was no agenda for the Anglo-Spanish talks held in Madrid in March, 1968.—[Vol. 776, c. 22.]
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerIf they are renewed will the hon. Gentleman confirm, as set out in the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' communiqué, that the wishes and interests of the inhabitants must be paramount?