HC Deb 16 October 1973 vol 861 cc1-2
1. Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he proposes to take any additional measures for the defence of Gibraltar.

The Minister of State for Defence (Mr. Ian Gilmour)

No, Sir.

Mr. Janner

Can the Minister assure the House that, in spite of the United Nations resolutions calling on us to leave Gibraltar, there is no intention of doing so and that proper provision will be made for the defence of Gibraltar, if necessary?

Mr. Gilmour

The first part of the question is primarily addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. I can assure the hon. and learned Gentleman that the answer is "Yes". The answer to the second part of the question is also "Yes".

Mr. Peart

I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will appreciate, in respect of the defence of Gibraltar, that it was very foolish of the Government to send arms to Spain or to acquiesce in the selling of an important aircraft. Spain still threatens this area. More than that, she is not a member of NATO but is a Fascist country—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Even right hon. Members must ask a question.

Mr. Gilmour

Strictly speaking, Spain is not a Fascist country. She may be an authoritarian country, but if we are to use words correctly she is not a Fascist country. I do not think that the sale referred to by the right hon. Gentleman was a foolish one. It was a good sale, for the sake of British industry and those working in it.

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