HL Deb 27 November 1985 vol 468 cc893-5
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 what development proposals have been received by the Director of Crown Lands in Gibraltar for the Queensway and Rosia Bay areas; what is the present position regarding the transfer of defence lands; and when development is expected to start.

The Minister of State for Defence Support (Lord Trefgarne)

My Lords, proposals for the development of these areas, and a decision on when development should start, are matters for the Gibraltar Government. I understand that two proposals have been received in respect of the Queensway sites and one for Rosia Bay. We expect to make land available to the Gibraltar Government to meet their timescale.

Lord Merrivale

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his Answer, which does not give very many details. Does he not agree that in effect the Ministry of Defence are dragging their feet regarding the implementation of the agreement signed by Sir Joshua Hassan and Sir Geoffrey Howe on 26th July 1983 on the provision of alternative facilities for the Services and the release of defence sites?

Lord Trefgarne

No, my Lords, I would not agree with that. On the contrary, since the agreement was signed we have agreed to speed up the provision of one of the sites from 4 years to 2½ years. My noble friend will of course understand that we have to re-provide the facilities on the sites in question before we can vacate them.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, can the Minister be more specific about the timing, as the faster developments can progress the better, given that there are fears that the combined effect of the closure of the dockyard and the EC enlargement agreement will have adverse effects upon the economy of Gibraltar? Can the Minister say something about the jobs that are involved? For instance, how many jobs are likely to be created by the developments in tourism in comparison with the number of jobs that were lost and have been lost by the closure of the dockyard?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, the developments proposed on the sites in question are as follows. At Queensway, a large yacht marina, apartments, shop and restaurants. At Rosia Bay, a smaller marina, also with apartments. I dare say that a certain number of jobs will flow from those developments. But with regard to the naval dockyard, that is now running as a commercial enterprise and employs a number of people.

Lord Merrivale

My Lords, as my noble friend mentioned the Rosia Bay area, and as the Gibraltar Government's emphasis is on touristically orientated development, can the Minister say when the Rosia Mole and the adjacent areas of the Bay will be released so that the hotel development project may go ahead?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, we have not yet been asked for a date by which we should release that site, but if the Gibraltar Government want to bring forward detailed proposals we shall examine them urgently.

Lord Geddes

My Lords, is my noble friend the Minister satisfied that fully-qualified and disinterested advice has been and continues to be available to Her Majesty's Government in this context, with particular respect not only to valuation but to prudent future courses of action?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I think that my noble friend is referring to the advice for which the Gibraltar Government are looking, and naturally the source of that advice is a matter for them.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, can the Minister help the House by telling us anything about assistance which the Government will give in the proposed developments? Will the Minister tell us whether Sir Geoffrey Howe in his recent talks with the Gibraltar Government discussed and addressed himself to the problem of unemployment in general in Gibraltar?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I cannot say whether that point specifically was addressed. However, with regard to giving help to the Government, the noble Lord will perhaps recall that these sites are being transferred to the Gibraltar Government free of charge.

Lord Wallace of Coslany

My Lords, can the noble Lord advise the House on what has happened to the plans that were produced by the British Government's own architects for the development of both these areas?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I am not aware that there were specific British Government proposals for these sites. These were and remain Ministry of Defence facilities for which there is a continuing use. We have agreed to make them available to the Gibraltar Government at their request and will need to re-provide the facilities that are there at present.

Lord Geddes

My Lords, in view of my noble friend's reply to my supplementary question just now, may I ask whether it is the case that Her Majesty's Government will have no say or no view on plans put to the authorities in Gibraltar?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, these are matters for the Gibraltar Government. Certainly it must be for them, at least in the first instance, to make the plans. We shall be ready to offer the Government any advice if they ask for it.

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