§ LORD MERRIVALEMy 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 will make a statement regarding recent Spanish naval activities off Gibraltar.]
§ LORD SHACKLETONUnder International Law, Spanish and other warships enjoy the right of innocent passage through Gibraltar's territorial sea. This right has been exercised by Spanish naval vessels for many years. In recent weeks Spanish naval vessels have on several occasions passed unusually close to the entrance of the port of Gibraltar. The port authorities at Gibraltar have taken the matter up, on navigational grounds, with the local Spanish authorities, with satisfactory results.
§ LORD MERRIVALEMy Lords, if these naval activities of the past few weeks are not part of a programme of intimidation and a cold war harassment of the Gibraltarians, causing anxiety and speculation in Gibraltar, can the noble Lord give an assurance to that effect? It would satisfy the people of Gibraltar to a very large extent.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, I appreciate the noble Lord's concern at the fact that this action might have been interpreted in that way; and some concern—although not much has appeared in the British Press—has been expressed. 591 To the best of our knowledge this is not part of any such campaign, and therefore I hope that that assurance will meet the noble Lord's point.
§ LORD MERRIVALEMy Lords, I am grateful for that assurance. Can the noble Lord, in effect, confirm that there have been representations on the part of Her Majesty's Government, or that a reassurance has been received from the Spanish Government that, in effect, these activities are not part of a deliberate and continuing violation of the Gibraltar territorial waters?
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, I would ask the noble Lord not to press me further. I said that it had been taken up with the local Spanish authorities, with satisfactory results.