HL Deb 20 March 1969 vol 300 cc1017-8

3.9 p.m.

LORD MOYNIHAN

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 when they intend to make public the report of the Commissioners of Inquiry which was set up by General Lathbury to investigate the events which occurred on April 6, 1968, in Gibraltar, and the action taken in respect thereof and to make recommendations.]

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, I understand that the Report has been received by the Governor and its recommendations are at present being considered in Gibraltar. No decision about publication has yet been taken.

LORD MOYNIHAN

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask the following supplementary questions? Do the Government believe in the principle of adequate compensation for innocent victims? Is it true that one of the recommendations contained in the Report is that the innocent victims of these riots be compensated in full and immediately? If so, what is the Government's interpretation of the word "immediately" in that context, since it is now nearly a year ago since the riots occurred?

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, as the Report has only recently been received by the Governor, and as he is still considering the matter, I think it would be premature for me to confirm anything tint the noble Lord suggests appears in the Report, or to comment on it. I think the first part of his supplementary question goes outside the realms of his original Question and I cannot comment oil this until the Report is available.

LORD ST. OSWALD

My Lords, may I ask two supplementary questions? First, how recently has the Report been received by Her Majesty's Government? Secondly, is the noble Lord aware that the principal victims of the riots involved, having been publicly accused of treachery, sedition and illegality, themselves insisted on this inquiry being made? Is it not unfair to the victims to keep the results quiet for as long as this, in view of their wish to have the whole affair cleared up?

THE EARL OF IDDESLEIGH

Hear, hear!

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, I have said that the document was recently received by the Governor. I do not have the exact date, but I can let the noble Lord know that. Although much of the evidence was given in public, the recommendations of this Report are still confidential and will remain so until considered by the Governor, who of course appointed the two Commissioners and set up the Commission of Inquiry. I think it would be improper for me to comment on the recommendations until the Report is published.

LORD MOYNIHAN

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the attitude of the members of the Gibraltar Coalition, which seems quite reasonable, is that they will not vote any compensation to the victims until such time as they have seen the Report? Is it impossible for the noble Lord to give any indication of when the members of the Gibraltar Coalition themselves will be able to see the Report?

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, they will see it when it is published.