HL Deb 09 May 1985 vol 463 cc735-6

3.4 p.m.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

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 all Spanish restrictions on the use of airspace by aircraft proceeding to and from Gibraltar Airport have now been removed.

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

My Lords, the Spanish Government have introduced welcome adjustments to the prohibited airspace in the Algeciras region which have removed the previous difficulties faced by civil aircraft in using Gibraltar airfield. We have made clear to the Spanish Government our view that it would be right for them to make similar arrangements for military aircraft.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that moderately satisfactory Answer. May I ask her whether the Spanish Government, particularly remembering that it is the Government of a country which is a candidate for the EEC, have given any explanation of their delay in raising these restrictions?

Baroness Young

My Lords, as my noble friend will be aware, discussions are continuing with the Spanish authorities about changes to the prohibited airspace for military aircraft. Under the circumstances, I think that it would be better for me not to go into the details of that matter on this occasion.