HC Deb 23 June 1969 vol 785 cc980-2
8. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to secure the withdrawal by the Spanish Government of the restrictions placed by them on normal travel to and from Gibraltar.

Mr. M. Stewart

The Spanish Government are aware of our view that the closure of the land frontier between Gibraltar and Spain is entirely unjustified. We have also made clear our determination and ability to sustain Gibraltar. If the Spanish Government wish to create the right atmosphere for progress towards a settlement, they must as a first step stop harassing the Gibraltarians.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

While fully endorsing what the Foreign Secretary has just said, may I ask whether the time has now come to apply some pressure to Spain? Has the right hon. Gentleman, in this context, considered the withdrawal of landing rights for Spanish civil aircraft at Heathrow, which would seem appropriate in itself and particularly because, in the event of, retaliation, it would damage their tourist industry?

Mr. Stewart

The House will remember that I made it clear that we would have to be satisfied that any retaliatory measures were likely to be of help to the Gibraltarians and were not of a kind which might do more damage to this country and to Gibraltar than to Spain. We have examined a number of possibilities. We are examining others, and I will include the one mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman.

I should draw attention to what was said by Sir Joshua Hassan in Gibraltar on 13th June on retaliation, when he said: If I may say so, on this point I fully understand the view taken in the House of Commons by the Foreign Secretary.

Mr. Whitaker

Would it be feasible to defray the costs of the economic burden placed on Gibraltar by a small levy on British tourists going to Spain and a similar one for the costs of Rhodesian sanctions on tourists going to South Africa?

Mr. Stewart

These are attractive ideas, but I doubt very much whether it will be possible to make them practicable.

Mr. Braine

The right hon. Gentleman has said that the Government will sustain the people of Gibraltar in this difficulty, and with that the whole House is in agreement, but will he confirm that the extraordinary expenditure arising in Gibraltar as a result of the Spanish blockade is being covered by Her Majesty's Government?

Mr. Stewart

Before giving an absolute 100 per cent. answer to that I should like to look more closely into it. We are giving very considerable help to Gibraltar, and we shall do our best to see that they can maintain their position.