§ 2.48 p.m.
§ 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 the forthcoming Anglo-Spanish Ministerial talks in London; and whether the Gibraltar Government will be consulted before the commencement of these talks.
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, my right honourable friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary announced in another place on March 6 that he has invited the Spanish Foreign Minister to pay an official visit to London in July. One purpose of this visit will be to continue thinking together about Gibraltar, which my right honourable friend began during his visit to Madrid in February. Political leaders in Gibraltar are naturally consulted.
§ LORD MERRIVALEMy Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for that Answer, may I ask her this supplementary question? As all the elected members of the Assembly in Gibraltar were consulted last month, would my noble friend agree with me that the elected members as well as every Gibraltarian were and are unanimous in their desire for direct representation from Gibraltar at these talks? Second, as the whole future of the people of Gibraltar may well be involved will my noble friend seriously look into this proposal?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, I will certainly convey the opinion of my noble friend to my right honourable friend. In fact, the leaders of both the main Gibraltar political Parties have publicly welcomed the fact that we are now thinking together 542 with the Spanish Government about Gibraltar, and they welcome this particular visit. My noble friend will I am sure have noticed that an election is to be held on June 23.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, while it is perfectly right for the Spanish Foreign Minister and Sir Alec Douglas-Home to think together, may I ask the noble Baroness whether there is any question at all about the Preamble to the Constitution of Gibraltar?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, I am glad that the noble Lord has given me the chance to confirm categorically that we stand by the Gibraltar Constitution Order in Council of 1969.
§ LORD MERRIVALEMy Lords, while welcoming what my noble friend said, may I ask her whether she agrees that it is up to the Spaniards to woo and win over the Gibraltarians as well as propose at these talks a more sensible modus vivendi between Spain and Gibraltar, before there is any question of a change of relationship between Gibraltar, this country and Spain?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, I quite agree that the lifting of the Spanish restrictions against Gibraltar would very much help any talks on this subject.