HL Deb 26 June 1980 vol 410 cc1719-20

3.11 p.m.

Lord BOYD-CARPENTER

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 whether the Spanish Government have yet abandoned their attempted blockade of the British colony of Gibraltar; and whether the restrictions imposed by the Spanish Government on the use of Spanish air space by aircraft operating in and out of Gibraltar airport have yet been withdrawn.

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, both Governments are continuing to work for the early implementation of the agreement on Gibraltar which my noble friend reached with the Spanish Foreign Minister on 10th April. But we regret that preparation of the necessary practical steps was not completed by 1st June as envisaged. The Spanish prohibited area remains.

Lord BOYD-CARPENTER

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that moderately encouraging reply, may I ask what are the practical steps necessary for opening a gate in some barbed wire?

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, the Spaniards are experiencing a number of administrative difficulties in this area, but they are moving to solve these difficulties and we wish to support their endeavours in that direction.

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, could the Government be a little more informative about the progress made in regard to removing the restrictions on the use of air space around Gibraltar, these being a continuous and possibly imminently dangerous threat to aircraft and those who travel in them?

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, the restrictions on the air space around Gibraltar airport do not threaten the safety of operations into Gibraltar airport, but they are certainly an inconvenience for airlines operating in there. If there were a question of safety, then of course operations would not be permitted. However, I can say that we expect the prohibited area to be modified or removed in the context of an overall settlement.