HL Deb 10 February 1971 vol 315 cc140-2

2.38 p.m.

LORD SORENSEN

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 progress has been made in providing adequate housing, education and employment for the people of Gibraltar; to what extent tourism has expanded and is contributing to the economy of Gibraltar; and how far the restrictions imposed by the Spanish Government have now been overcome.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)

My Lords, I can assure the noble Lord that the Gibraltar Government have made good progress in providing adequate housing, education and employment for the people of Gibraltar. As my right honourable friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs indicated in another place on July 6 last, we continue to work for the removal of Spanish restrictions, which remain an obstacle to progress towards a settlement. In the meantime, Gibraltar continues by a process of adaptation to overcome the effects of the Spanish restrictions.

The economy continues to make good progress. For example, tourism is expanding. Last year inclusive holidays increased by 25 per cent. and local expenditure by tourists is estimated at about £2.6 million, with a net contribution to the gross domestic product of £1.12 million—slightly more than for 1969.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, while thanking the noble Marquess for that reply, may I ask him whether there is any difficulty regarding labour, either, on the one hand, in unemployment or, on the other hand, in the securing of skilled labour that was some time ago withdrawn by the Spanish Government from Gibraltar?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, it is true that there has been some difficulty, as the noble Lord will realise, in the matter of obtaining labour. Nevertheless, progress on housing is going ahead very satisfactorily.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, when the noble Marquess says that it is going ahead satisfactorily, can he give us any idea of the number of houses that have been built in the last twelve months? Also, can he say whether the hostel has been completed?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, there are quite a few facts and figures that I can give the noble Lord. At the moment there are 373 housing units under construction, of which 110 are due for completion this year. I am not certain whether the hostel has actually been completed yet, but work is progressing on it.

LORD SORENSEN

My Lords, will the noble Marquess forgive me if I ask him to reply to my supplementary question regarding the supply of labour? What I asked was whether, on the one hand, there was any unemployment and, on the other, whether Gibraltar was still suffering from the withdrawal of skilled labour by the Spanish Government some time ago. I am afraid that he did not answer that question.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, since the withdrawal of Spanish labour there have certainly been more jobs available in Gibraltar than Gilbraltarians to fill them. Therefore there is to that extent a shortage.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether there are any definite signs of improvement in the attitude of the Spanish Government?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I cannot say that so far as Gibraltar is concerned the new climate between the British Government and the Spanish Government has shown itself. Of course we continue to press the Government of Spain concerning the restrictions which they have imposed on the country.

LORD LEATHERLAND

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether, in view of the fact that there is a shortage of labour in Gibraltar and a serious surplus of labour in this country, according to the mounting unemployment figures, the transfer on a temporary basis of sonic workers from this country to Gibraltar might not help to solve both problems?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, that is another question, which I should like to consider.

LORD BLYTON

My Lords, does the noble Marquess not think that this is another place to give a plebiscite to, to determine whether to go with Spain or with England? And does he not think we ought to have a plebiscite on the Common Market?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I think that that also is another question.