§ 18. Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on Gibraltar.
§ Mr. GodberThe basic situation is unchanged. We continue to stand by the people of Gibraltar and the economy, with the help it has been possible to give from here, is successfully withstanding the effect of the Spanish restrictions. But these unfortunately remain in force, although there has been some reduction of tension over the past year.
§ Mr. CordleWhilst I accept that improvements have taken place recently through the talks between my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Spanish Foreign Minister, does my right hon. Friend agree that the loyal people of Gibraltar deserve urgent help to main- 848 tain their standard of living, which has suffered seriously since the closing of the border?
§ Mr. GodberI accept that there is a responsibility to help them. We are providing aid to the tune of about £4 million under a three-year arrangement negotiated by the previous Government.
§ Mr. JayDoes the Minister of State agree that the referendum held in Gibraltar recently under British authority was a valuable way of enabling the people of Gibraltar to show whether they wished to join Spain or remain within the Commonwealth?
§ Mr. GodberReferenda can be very suitable, perhaps, in certain circumstances and in some cases, but we have never accepted them in this country.