HC Deb 17 November 1969 vol 791 cc826-8
8. Mr. George Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has now received the development plans from the Gibraltar Government; and what action is being taken to sustain the economy of Gibraltar.

15. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will outline what Her Majesty's Government are doing to provide physical help to the people of Gibraltar.

Mr. George Thomson

Expert advice in various fields has been made available to the Gibraltar Government. At the invitation of Her Majesty's Government the Gibraltar Government have formulated development proposals which are now being considered in London prior to discussion at an early date with the Governor and Gibraltar Ministers.

Mr. Jeger

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Will he undertake to make a statement to the House when he has completed those discussions with the Government of Gibraltar?

Mr. Thomson

Certainly, sir.

Mr. Braine

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to a report from Madrid in yesterday's Sunday Telegraph that Washington has been suggesting a package deal tying a Gibraltar settlement with eventual Spanish membership of N.A.T.O.? Is there any truth in that? Will he give an assurance that no consideration will halt the steps now being taken to sustain the Gibraltar economy?

Mr. Thomson

I can certainly give the hon. Member the assurance that we are pledged to support the people of Gibraltar, and we shall take all the necessary steps to do that. I am not responsible for what appears in the Sunday Telegraph, but there are other Questions about Spain later on the Order Paper.

9. Mr. George Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish the Beeching Report on the use of manpower in Gibraltar.

32. Mr. van Straubenzee

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he proposes consequent upon the Beeching plan for the economy of Gibraltar.

Mr. George Thomson

The report of the Manpower Mission to Gibraltar has been published and copies are available in the Library of the House. Certain confidential material has been omitted, but this does not in any way affect the recommendations of the report. These are being carefully studied by the Gibraltar Government in connection with future labour policy.

Mr. van Straubenzee

Will the Minister of State kindly say whether he anticipates early discussions with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar upon the recommendations contained in the report?

Mr. Thomson

As the hon. Member may have seen in the Press, the Governor of Gibraltar is to be in London this week and we shall be consulting with him. We would like talks to begin with the new Ministers of the Gibraltar Government as soon as possible.