HL Deb 17 March 1970 vol 308 cc995-7
LORD MERRIVALE

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 what technical assistance they have committed themselves to provide in Gibraltar:

  1. (a) for about a further 750 housing units;
  2. (b) for the school sports centre, additional medical facilities and port development;
  3. (c) towards appropriate schemes for tourist development;
and what has been provided to date.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (LORD SHEPHERD)

My Lords, we expect to appoint consultants very shortly to prepare detailed housing plans and to advise generally on other construc- tion works proposed in the Gibraltar Development Programme, including additional medical facilities and the sports centre. Consultants' reports on both port and tourist development have been made available to the Gibraltar Government and we have provided a Director of Tourism.

LORD MERRIVALE

My Lords, I should like to thank the Minister for his reply. I am not quite sure how long "very shortly" means in the Government's mind. May I ask the Minister two questions? Will he not agree that the requested expert advice should promptly be made available, for any delay in this technical assistance further postpones the date when the £4 million development programme can start being implemented? Secondly, can the Minister state what progress has been made regarding appropriate schemes for tourist development? I am thinking particularly of the Parcar project delays, about which I understand the Chief Minister in Gibraltar has spoken on a number of occasions.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, as regards the Parcar scheme and other tourist development, the Financial Secretary from Gibraltar is now in London and we are having conversations with him. I do not wish to go any further than that, except to say that the building development of the Rock Hotel and two other hotels is now proceeding since labour is available. There has been no delay in providing this technical assistance to Gibraltar. On the question of what we mean by "very shortly" in regard to the appointment of consultants, I really mean shortly—I hope within the next month.

LORD MERRIVALE

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. In effect, may I take it that within the coming month these necessary consultants will be available in Gibraltar, particularly with regard to the 750 housing units project?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, I should not wish to say when they will be in Gibraltar, but when they have been appointed, which, as I said, I hope will be shortly, then matters should proceed apace.

LORD MERRIVALE

Within the month?

LORD SHEPHERD indicated assent.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, arising out of that question, can my noble friend say whether any comprehensive survey has yet been made of the need for domestic housing now and in the next few years in Gibraltar?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lord, may I remind my noble friend that as a consequence of my talks with the Gibraltar Government we undertook, in December, that we should undertake a housing programme of some 750 houses in the next three years. It is for this that the consultants who will shortly be appointed will draw up a scheme.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether we can have an assurance that the Government regard this matter as one of very real urgency?

LORD SHEPHERD

Without the slightest shadow of doubt, my Lords.