§ 31. Sir W. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he is aware that the Gibraltar referendum will be held at a time when the United Kingdom Parliament is not sitting; and what machinery he will make available to receive representations from Members of Parliament about irregularities either on the Spanish side or on the United Kingdom Government's side in the propaganda used in the weeks before the referendum.
§ Mrs. HartThe exact date of holding the referendum has not yet been fixed but it is certainly likely to be during the Recess. Although the House may be in Recess Ministers will, of course, be available to consider any representations which may be made to them by Members of Parliament.
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§ 40. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken and plans to take to protect Gibraltar and its citizens, and also British citizens in and British transport in and to Gibraltar.
§ Mrs. HartHer Majesty's Government's intention to support Gibraltar and to safeguard the interests of its people has been made clear on numerous occasions. As regards flights to Gibraltar, as I informed the House on 14th June—[Vol. 748, c. 563–72]—we have held bilateral talks with Spain about the Prohibited Area near Gibraltar, and we are now taking steps to raise the question again with the I.C.A.O.
§ Sir W. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs who will be allowed to vote in the referendum in Gibraltar; if it will include all those males and females over 21 years of age; and what steps are being taken to register those who will by then be over 21 years of age but were not when the last register was completed.
§ Mrs. HartI am not yet in a position to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Rutland and Stamford (Mr. Kenneth Lewis) on 20th June. The Order in Council is expected to be made very shortly.—[Vol. 678, c.225.]
§ Sir W. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what action is to be taken by members of the Government and what opportunity is to be given to members of the House for visits to Gibraltar to explain to the Gibraltarians the merits or demerits of the alternative proposals which they are to be asked to consider in the referendum.
§ Mrs. HartI do not think any special arrangements are necessary, though hon. Members will of course, as always, be free to make such visits if they so desire.
§ Sir W. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek guarantees from the Spanish Government to ensure that Jewish citizens of Gibraltar and practising Free Masons in Gibraltar will have the same protection and rights of practising their faith or their cusoms, if they elect to become part of Spain, as they now possess.
§ Mrs. HartThe proposals made by the Spanish Government, which, unless they52W wish to change them, will constitute Option A of the referendum, in May, 1966, expressly included freedom of religion.