HC Deb 08 May 1996 vol 277 cc231-2
14. Mr. Simon Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to raise with his Spanish counterpart the issue of access to, and egress from, Gibraltar. [27206]

Mr. David Davis

I have made it clear to Mr. Westendorp, the Spanish Foreign Minister in office until this week, that the delays at the Spain-Gibraltar frontier are intolerable and should cease.

Mr. Coombs

Is my hon. Friend aware that the newly appointed Spanish Foreign Minister is quoted as having said that it is not in his interests to sever communications with Gibraltar, but that it is certainly an option. In the light of that comment and of the generally unsatisfactory nature of communications between Spain and Gibraltar, to which my hon. Friend referred, what further reassurance can he give to the people of Gibraltar that the Government will stand by them if the situation deteriorates further?

Mr. Davis

The Government have stood by those people throughout the past decades. Last time the border was severed, it served simply to sour relations between not just Gibraltar and Spain, but the United Kingdom and Spain. We have made a number of points to the Spanish Government on the issue. The argument that they advance is that they are attempting to solve a drug smuggling problem. We have asked them a number of times to give us evidence of any land-based drug smuggling, but we have not received any. We have made the point that, if Spain is serious about dealing with drugs, it should do so through cross-border co-operation, not confrontation.

Mr. Mackinlay

Will the Minister consider remedying the democratic deficit that exists for the people of Gibraltar? The comments that he has uttered need to be uttered in this place by someone who represents the people of Gibraltar. Is there not a case for stating now that there should be limited representation in this House of the people of Gibraltar? Such representatives would be able to defend and argue their case more vigorously. That would signal to the Spanish that we will not tolerate the constant frustration of British people in the Mediterranean.

Mr. Davis

We have not received that request from the people of Gibraltar. The hon. Gentleman and a number of other hon. Members do a good job of putting the case for Gibraltar. That fact is reflected in the answers that I give here and in the opinions of the Spanish Government.

Mr. Colvin

Does my hon. Friend agree that the other matter that must be causing concern in Gibraltar is the further call in the new Spanish Prime Minister's speech for Europe to speak with only one voice on security? That means that Spain will be more closely aligned with France and Germany on security matters. Surely it is important that NATO speaks with one voice on security. Spain has already proved that it can participate in NATO operations, as it is, and has been, doing effectively in former Yugoslavia. Is it not therefore important, in the interests of Britain, NATO and Gibraltar, that Spain becomes a full member of the integrated military structure of NATO?

Mr. Davis

I agree with my hon. Friend on that. I think that such a decision would require a referendum in Spain. We certainly believe that the integrated military structure of NATO would work best with all members of NATO in it—that is clearly right.