Gibraltar: Air Links (Hansard, 15 April 1996)

§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)
My Lords, the Government's position on the 1987 Joint Declaration concerning Gibraltar Airport is unchanged. We still believe an airport agreement would benefit Gibraltar, but we shall not impose it. A satisfactory solution can still be found and we remain ready and willing to work to that end.

§ Lord Boyd-Carpenter
My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. Can she indicate what would be a possible improvement over and above the perfectly plain and understandable request which the Gibraltar Government and people have made?

§ Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
My Lords, this is a slightly difficult Question at this moment because, as I believe my noble friend knows, there needs to be an alteration, if we are to have an agreement in the future, which is actually consistent with changes that we have made in our national law and indeed with the European Community. Therefore, the agreement as it stands is not strictly applicable. But we are working on this matter and when I have news for my noble friend I shall let him have it.

§ Baroness Blackstone
My Lords, after the unfortunate incident last week in which a Spanish civil guard was killed intervening in the drug smuggling that was taking place involving a British boat from Gibraltar, can the Minister reassure the House that Anglo-Spanish relations are not going to be damaged further by drug smuggling from Gibraltar? Can she also tell the House whether the matter of money laundering that has been rampant there has now been dealt with? Are the Gibraltar Government now complying fully with European Union banking regulations after their earlier failure to do so?

§ Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
My Lords, perhaps I may say first that we were obviously very sad to hear of the helicopter crash and of the death connected with it. In no way would we or any other responsible 434 government condone drug trafficking. Therefore, we are committed to working with our partners, including Spain, to stamp it out. Tough action was taken against the Gibraltar-based or registered boats first of all, last summer. Although a few smugglers may still be getting through, we intend to see that everything is done so that they are stopped. The noble Baroness asked about actions. I can tell her that the Chief Minister in Gibraltar has agreed further action against these rigid, inflatable boats, which have been evading the controls by registering as British boats. From now on it will not be permitted to register or re-register any rigid inflatable boats as British boats. Other measures will be taken when further discussions have been completed.
As regards money laundering, new legislation has come into force. That was necessary because for Gibraltar to have a successful financial services centre, it must have proper legislation against money laundering. That legislation has been worked out to conform with the European requirements because money laundering is not a national matter but covers endless opportunities and crosses all possible boundaries.

§ Lord Merrivale
My Lords, can my noble friend say, if the airport agreement has not been updated, how Gibraltar can take advantage of the liberalisation of air transport which has taken place in the Community? Does she accept that the EC single market in air transport could apply to Gibraltar, with purely commercial arrangements for the airport, and the status of Gibraltar as a UK domestic regional airport remaining unchanged?

§ Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
My Lords, if I understand my noble friend correctly, as I mentioned to my noble friend Lord Boyd-Carpenter, some changes would be necessary on the airport agreement if it were to be brought up to date. But we have said quite clearly that we shall not impose it. The point that my noble friend makes about EC air liberalisation is a very good one, but he will know that Gibraltar is currently suspended from the single market in aviation, including open access to the air routes within the European Union. That is one of the problems which we are seeking to discuss not only with Gibraltar Ministers, but also with all those who are determined that a single market must apply in aviation to Gibraltar, Spain and everywhere else.

§ Lord Molloy
My Lords, does the Minister agree that despite that unfortunate incident those of us who know Gibraltar and its people know that it will in no way affect the profound feelings of the people of Gibraltar for our United Kingdom?

§ Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
My Lords, I can reassure the noble Lord. He may like to refer to the Question answered in this House on 14th December last at col. 116 of the Official Report where Britain's commitment to Gibraltar was made clear beyond peradventure. It is all down in Hansard.

§ Lord Campbell of Alloway
My Lords, in the context of the question put by the noble Baroness, Lady Blackstone, and in connection with this smuggling 435 lark with drugs, tobacco and so forth, may I ask my noble friend the Minister whether there are any MTBs or their equivalent today on-station which are sufficient to cope with that illicit trade?

§ Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
My Lords, there are still some available, but I would have to check whether they are operational in the area about which my noble friend has asked. However, I do know that many rigid inflatable boats have extremely powerful engines and one of the problems is that catching them can require the use of air power. That is why helicopters have been used.