HC Deb 03 November 1966 vol 735 cc159-60W
Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his visit to Gibraltar.

Mr. Frederick Lee

During my visit I examined, both in discussion and on the ground, the Gibraltar Government's proposals to strengthen their economy by an expanded development programme up to 1970. I told them we were ready to support the general objectives of this programme. In order to enable the Gibraltar Government to start implementing these plans we are allocating immediately a further £600,000 of Colonial Development and Welfare money—this is additional to the £1,000,000 allocated to Gibraltar last year—and I told the Gibraltar Government that we shall be ready to discuss with them the subsequent stages of the programme. This has been welcomed by the Gibraltar Government.

More generally, I also conveyed to the Gibraltar Government the assurance of our intention to sustain Gibraltar in its present difficulties which my right hon. Friend gave to the House on Monday. I was happy to extend a warm invitation to the Governor, and to the Chief Minister and his deputy, to come to Britain in the near future for further talks. The exact date will be announced soon.