HL Deb 24 March 1988 vol 495 cc287-9

3.1 p.m.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in order to facilitate the decisions to be taken by the Government and people of Gibraltar on the proposal to share the use of Gibraltar airport with Spain, they will produce and make available a document setting out in detail the provisions of the sharing agreement contemplated, together with the arrangements under which, if accepted, it would operate.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Glenarthur)

My Lords, the joint declaration of 2nd December establishes the political basis for practical co-operation between Britain and Spain over the use of Gibraltar airport. If the arrangements are accepted by the people of Gibraltar there will be further consultations at central government and local levels on their implementation, but no sharing agreement is planned.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer. Is he aware that the people and Government of Gibraltar have to make, for them, an important and difficult decision? It is particularly difficult for them to come to a sensible conclusion without knowing much more of the detail of what is proposed. Is my noble friend aware that it would simply not be good enough to ask them to accept and then fill in the gaps?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, it is certainly not the case that the views of the Gibraltarians are being ignored. I understand the anxieties of the Gibraltarians, but the joint declaration gives as much as can reasonably be expected of it, considering the fact that the purpose of the committee for which the declaration provides is to co-ordinate the activities of the existing and the new terminals on detailed matters such as passenger and baggage handling.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, as a general election is being held in Gibraltar today I am sure the House wishes the people of Gibraltar an enjoyable day and a successful government. Will the Minister confirm that the new House of Assembly which will be elected as a result of the election will be required to ratify the Brussels agreement? Presumably Her Majesty's Government will wish that to be done as soon as possible. Can the Minister further confirm that his right honourable and learned friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary will be seeking an early meeting with the new Chief Minister?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I am sure that a meeting will take place sooner rather than later. I cannot say when it will be, but I can tell the noble Lord that the first step is for the agreement within Gibraltar to be made firm. That will depend on the election.

Lord Kilmarnock

My Lords, the Question asked by the noble Lord, Lord Boyd-Carpenter, is perfectly reasonable, but will the Minister confirm that it is the policy of the Government to make Gibraltar as self-supporting as possible, and that joint use of the airport will be conducive to that? Secondly—this is an important point—if the people of Gibraltar do not agree, through the election, to the arrangements for sharing the airport can the noble Lord say what effect that will have on the bilateral agreement of 2nd December between the British and Spanish governments whereby, I understand, Spain was induced to join the European air fares package?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, the noble Lord is certainly quite right that this agreement represents a good deal for Gibraltar. It offers the prospect of air links with the rest of Europe. It will attract more visitors and help tourism and financial services. To that extent it will be a major boost to the economy. There are also the parallel agreements on the reduction of delays at the frontier and resumption of the Gibraltar—Algeciras ferry service, which form part of the total package.

Lord Bottomley

My Lords, whatever happens in the election today, both parties agree that this suggested arrangement for the airport is unsuitable for the people of Gibraltar. Whoever is elected as Gibraltar's Prime Minister today, will the noble Lord ask the Foreign Secretary to consider seeing the Prime Minister in London and once more going over the matter before a final decision is taken?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I think we must await the result of the election in Gibraltar but, as I said, I am sure that whoever wins my right honourable and learned friend will see him before long.

Lord Kilmarnock

My Lords, the Minister did not answer my second supplementary question. What will happen if the people of Gibraltar reject the agreement? What effect will that have on the European air fares agreement? Will the effect be to unravel the agreement?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, to some extent that is a hypothetical question, but there are major benefits for the United Kingdom and the EC. The EC aviation liberalisation package would be blocked. It would make cheaper air fares more difficult to achieve. Its passage will secure increased commercial opportunities for British airlines.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that if, as his replies appear to suggest, the details of the arrangement are not to be disclosed until the people of Gibraltar have reached a decision, he is putting that decision at very great risk and making it much more likely that the people of Gibraltar will reject the agreement?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I did not intend to give that impression. There are regular contacts between the Governor's office and the Gibraltar Government, the press and the public; for example, through the Chamber of Commerce, airline companies, and so on. Indeed, a written commentary explaining the provisions of the declaration is also available for anyone who is interested, so I do not think that there is a lack of information.