HL Deb 19 November 1986 vol 482 cc232-3

2.48 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Her Majesty's Government whether the Spanish military guard at the frontier between Gibraltar and Spain has yet been withdrawn.

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, no. However, we shall continue to urge the Spanish Government to follow our lead by removing their guard.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, perhaps I may thank my noble friend for that somewhat elliptical reply. Would he remind your Lordships of the date when the British guard was withdrawn and also tell your Lordships whether the Spanish Government have given any explanation of their failure so far to follow suit?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I am sorry to say that I have temporarily forgotten the date upon which we removed our guard.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, it was so long ago!

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I shall very happily ascertain that date and let my noble friend know. We do not know why the Spaniards have not yet removed their guard, but my right honourable and learned friend the Foreign Secretary will be seeing his Spanish counterpart just after Christmas and will certainly be taking up this matter with him then.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that it has been reported in the press that the Spanish Government have indicated that they would remove their guard if the frontier gates are dismantled, and that it was further reported that Her Majesty's Government then said that this would be premature? Is that the case? What would the attitude of Her Majesty's Government be to the removal of the frontier gates?

Secondly, I understand that the noble Lord's right honourable and learned friend the Foreign Secretary is visiting the Spanish Foreign Secretary in January. Will this matter be on the agenda?

Lord Trefgarne

Yes, my Lords. As I indicated to my noble friend Lord Boyd-Carpenter a moment ago, this matter will most certainly be on the agenda when my right honourable and learned friend the Foreign Secretary meets his Spanish counterpart after Christmas. As for removing the gates, the gates are, I understand, now permanently open. I am not certain therefore whether removing them would serve any further useful purpose. If I could revert to the question put to me by my noble friend Lord Boyd-Carpenter a moment ago. I understand that our guard was removed on 31st July last.