HC Deb 16 October 1969 vol 788 cc595-6
Q1. Mr. Molloy

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the further consultations between the head of the Spanish Government and himself on Gibraltar.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)

There have been no consultations between myself and General Franco over Gibraltar. On the Government's policy I would refer to what my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary said in reply to Questions last Monday.—[Vol. 788, c. 9–12.]

Mr. Molloy

May I take this opportunity of congratulating my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on the fifth anniversary of the great electoral victory to which he led my party in 1964 and on assuming the Premiership of Britain, and may I wish him many happy returns of the day on these two occasions? Can my right hon. Friend now tell me whether he has—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. Questions must be put succinctly.

Mr. Molloy

Can my right hon. Friend now tell me whether there has been any reply to the British Note to the Spanish Government of June last?

The Prime Minister

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for the preamble to his question, which I thought was very succinct. I would like to thank him for what he has said. On his second question, I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said on Monday last about contacts with the Spanish Government.

Mr. George Jeger

Has the Prime Minister's attention been drawn to the reply given by one of the Ministers of Defence yesterday when he was trying to draw a distinction between the military and the political effects of activities on the Rock? Will he ensure that all activities by all Government Departments in future take into account the effect upon the morale and the interests of the civilians of Gibraltar?

The Prime Minister

I am, of course, aware of the answer given by my hon. Friend yesterday. My hon. Friend can be assured that there is the fullest co-ordination of all activities on and around the Rock. He will, of course, know that the present Commander-in Chief, a former Chief of the Naval Staff here, has overriding responsibility in all these matters.