HL Deb 14 July 1966 vol 276 cc197-9

3.6 p.m.

THE EARL OF SELKIRK

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are satisfied that the talks being held with the Spanish Government are not giving undue anxiety to the people of Gibraltar.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD WALSTON)

My Lords, we recognise that our fellow subjects in Gibraltar are naturally extremely anxious about this matter. But they are, I think, also well aware that the talks are being held pursuant to a United Nations resolution which drew attention to the need to bear in mind the interests of the population of Gibraltar. I can assure the noble Earl that we do indeed have these interests and our obligation to protect them very much in mind.

THE EARL OF SELKIRK

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his Answer. Can he strike a note of optimism by saying that we shall be able to remain on good relations with Spain and still retain the profound confidence which the people of Gibraltar have had in successive Governments of this country?

LORD WALSTON

My Lords, that is certainly the hope, though any optimism that I express in that direction must be a guarded optimism.

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the fears of the people of Gibraltar and the intransigence of the Spanish Government were greatly encouraged last year by public statements made in London by members of the United Nations Special Committee on Colonialism to the effect that it was the first objective of this Special Committee to see that Gibraltar was returned to Spain? Will Her Majesty's Government make it clear, both to the people of Gibraltar and to the Spanish Government, that in this matter no United Nations Committee has any authority or jurisdiction?

LORD WALSTON

My Lords, while, as I said, these talks are being held pursuant to a United Nations resolution, I can assure the noble Earl that the matter under dispute is solely one between Her Majesty's Government and the Spanish Government.

BARONESS EMMET OF AMBERLEY

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the restrictions on the frontier have been getting worse and worse, and that this hardly shows any inclination on the part of Spain to meet us in this respect? Have any representations been made about this lately?

LORD WALSTON

My Lords, I should not entirely go along with the noble Baroness when she says that the restrictions are getting worse and worse. My information is that the restrictions are remaining exactly the same, but because of the increased tourist traffic, the inconvenience caused is considerably greater than it was. We have made representations to the Spanish Government on this, and they are fully aware of our attitude and our point of view.

LORD MERRIVALE

My Lords, would the noble Lord not concede that the anxieties of the people of Gibraltar would be still further dispelled, and the dignity and prestige of this country better served, if the discussions, which I believe have been adjourned, were not resumed until such time as the Spanish Government were prepared to ease the frontier restrictions, rather than intensify them as they did last month in contravention of the request of the Foreign Secretary on May 18 last?

LORD WALSTON

My Lords, in my opinion and in that of Her Majesty's Government, the important thing is to resolve this dispute; it is most important, therefore, that there should be discussions between the Spanish Government and ourselves. It would be a great mistake to impose conditions if they were going to jeopardise the talks. But that does not mean to say that we retreat from the position which we have already made public concerning the actual talks themselves.

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