§ 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 on the recent visit to Gibraltar of the Rt. Hon. Julian Amery, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)My Lords, my right honourable friend visited Gibraltar on the 22nd and 23rd of January when he had discussions with the Governor and Chief Minister, met elected representatives and toured development sites. My right honourable friend's visit followed Gibraltar's entry with Britain into the European Economic Community.
§ LORD MERRIVALEMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that reply. Can she explain Her Majesty's Government's effective policy towards Spain regarding Gibraltar? Are we endeavouring to deal with Spain from a position of strength, as exemplified by the Minister of State's firm, or should I say even tough, statement in Gibraltar last month and by the big naval exercise which took place last weekend? Or are we seeking through prolonged and fruitless discussion to encourage the unlikely possibility of a climate of understanding and confidence?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, we hope to continue the discussions, and the Spanish Foreign Minister is expected to visit this country later this year to hold another working meeting with my right honourable 1236 friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary. So far as Exercise "Medtrain"—as it is called—is concerned, we of course made clear to the Spanish Government that ships of the Royal Navy have every right to have exercises in international waters, or in British territory.
§ LORD MERRIVALEMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that reply. Is it not a fact that, in effect, we are taking a tougher attitude? Is it not also a fact that there has not been an exercise of that magnitude in that area for a number of years now?
§ BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIEMy Lords, I understand that exercises like Exercise "Medtrain" have taken place in a regular series in recent years.