HC Deb 14 April 1981 vol 3 cc144-5
12. Mr. van Straubenzee

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has plans for further reducing the garrison in Gibraltar.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Army (Mr. Philip Goodhart)

Army force levels in Gibraltar have remained constant for a long time.

Mr. van Straubenzee

Is my hon. Friend aware that I am glad to hear that? I trust that they will remain so. Does that mean that the garrison and the people of that fiercely loyal territory have a remaining and key role in the defence of the West, under the NATO umbrella?

Mr. Goodhart

That is true.

Mr. McQuarrie

I accept what my hon. Friend says, but will he confirm that, as the Navy and the RAF are part of that garrison, the present strength of the Services will be maintained so long as restrictions against the Gibraltar people are imposed?

Mr. Goodhart

The forces will remain in position. When the border is open we expect that the surveillance unit of 11 will be withdrawn. Otherwise, the detachments will remain.