§ LORD MERRIVALEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what reply they have had to their proposals of last December to the Portuguese Aviation Authorities for the establishment of a Gibraltar Airways (Gibair) service between Gibraltar and Lisbon.]
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, the latest communication on the subject was a letter from the Department of Trade and Industry to the Portuguese Director General of Civil Aviation on December 15, 1970. I regret to say that no reply has yet been received.
§ LORD MERRIVALEMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. Would he not agree that it is about time some further initiative was taken by Her Majesty's Government, as that communication was sent over three and a half months ago? As external relations and air communications to and from Gibraltar are solely the responsibility of Her Majesty's Government, could not this matter be tackled with a greater sense of priority and urgency? The hands of the Gibraltar Government are tied 199 completely and it is solely the responsibility of Her Majesty's Government; and, much as the Gibraltar Government would like to do something, they cannot because it is outside their prerogative.
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, Her Majesty's Government have not been by any means quiescent in this matter. They have taken several initiatives, the last of which was a letter just a fortnight ago. I appreciate what the noble Lord says about a sense of priority. Her Majesty's Government are doing all they can, but it takes two to reach an agreement.