HL Deb 06 July 1984 vol 454 cc513-4
Lord Merrivale

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the partial opening by Spain of the frontier with Gibraltar on 15th December 1982 has had a detrimental effect on the economy and trading community of Gibraltar; and whether there has been any progress in the easing of border restrictions.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)

My Lords, the arrangements introduced by the Spanish authorities at the border between Spain and Gibraltar on the 15th of December 1982 concerned only the passage of certain categories of pedestrians; they have not included provision for the passage of goods or cross-border trade. Expenditure by Gibraltarians visiting Spain has not been matched by that of Spaniards visiting Gibraltar; and there has inevitably been a detrimental effect on the Gibraltar economy. My right honourable and learned friend has had a number of meetings with the Spanish Foreign Minister and it remains our aim that there should be the earliest possible normalisation of relations as foreseen by the Lisbon agreement. This would include the suspension of the measures currently in force at the frontier.

Lord Merrivale

My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for that Answer, which reinforces the fact that it is a very one-sided arrangement. Could Her Majesty's Government seek the support of our European Community partners to hasten the implementation of the removal of those measures which conflict with the obligations of Community membership—including obstacles to trade between Spain and Gibraltar?

Baroness Young

My Lords, the restrictions on movement which exist between Spain and Gibraltar are incompatible with the obligations which Spain will assume as a member of the Community. I gave this piece of information in answer to a supplementary question earlier this week as well as earlier this year. It would be inconceivable that Spain should become a member of the Community while the frontier is only partially open.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, will the noble Baroness go a little further than that? Will she assure the House that Britain will not permit the accession of Spain to the European Community unless these restrictions are removed and unless free trading, which I am given to understand is the hallmark of the Community, is fully complied with?

Baroness Young

My Lords, as we have made plain on a number of occasions, we believe in the full implementation of the Lisbon agreement whereby there would be the full opening of the frontier between Spain and Gibraltar. As I have indicated, we wish Spain to become a member of the European Community and we think that it would be inconceivable that this would be the case unless the frontier betwen Spain and Gibraltar was fully open.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, is it not clear from the pattern of these restrictions, which I understand have recently been tightened up, that they are being operated with the deliberate view of doing as much damage as possible to the economy, including the tourist trade, of Gibraltar? In those circumstances will my noble friend make it clear to the Spanish Government that this is not behaviour which is compatible with ordinary, decent relations between European countries, quite apart from any question of Spain's accession to the Community?

Baroness Young

My Lords, as I said in my original Answer to the Question, we recognise that the present partial opening of the frontier is having a detrimental effect upon Gibraltar. My right honourable and learned friend has had a number of meetings with the Spanish Foreign Minister, Senor Morán, and will see him again in September. This is clearly one of a number of matters which are discussed.

Lord Merrivale

My Lords, following on what my noble friend Lord Boyd-Carpenter has just asked, will the Minister agree that due to a partially opened border and a closing naval dockyard, there has been a considerable decrease in passengers and freight between Gibraltar and London and Gibraltar and Tangiers? Will she recognise the need for increased viability there and an improvement in the persistently stagnant tourist market?—a point which was stressed by my noble friend Lord Boyd-Carpenter.

Baroness Young

I cannot, without notice, give figures on the point about which the noble Lord asks. The British Government recognise that at the present time there are real, transitional problems for Gibraltar in the changeover of the dockyard from a naval dockyard to a commercial dockyard. It is in recognition of those difficulties that the British Government have given £28 million in aid for the dockyard, have guaranteed £14 million for other work to the dockyard, and have given this on top of the £13 million in aid in the years from 1982 to 1986.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, is the House to understand from the reply of the noble Baroness to my supplementary question that, if necessary, the Government will exercise their veto?

Baroness Young

My Lords, the Government wish to see Spanish accession to the Community. I have made plain our position on the opening of the frontier, and I think that it would be very unwise to answer what is, after all, a hypothetical question.

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