§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to meet the Chief Minister of Gibraltar to discuss what financial aid will be required to maintain the economy of the territory when the dockyard closes in 1983 if the border between Gibraltar and Spain on the Spanish side has not by then been reopened.
§ Mr. Neil MartenMy noble Friend, the Minister of State, visited Gibraltar last week for discussions with the Chief Minister and other Ministers, and there are no present plans for further ministerial meetings, although my right hon. Friend hopes to see Sir Joshua Hassan again in the near future. The Government of Gibraltar are now completing their consideration of proposals for the commercialisation of the dockyard, and their recommendations in that respect, together with their proposals regarding future development aid, will shortly be submitted to the British Government. When these have been considered, further discussions with the Government of Gibraltar will take place. The effect of a continuing closed border between Gibraltar and Spain would be a factor in all these discussions.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the level of financial aid to Gibraltar; and for what purposes.
§ Mr. Neil Marten£13 million for capital aid projects, and £1 million of technical cooperation was provided to Gibraltar in support of its 1978 to 1981 development programme. Because of delays in implementing the programme, expenditure from these grants continued through 1981–82. The principal sectors to benefit in the 1978–81 plan were education and housing. In December 1981 a further allocation of capital aid of £4 million for urgent development projects was agreed. Some projects have already been approved and it is expected that the bulk of this grant will be spent on infrastructural projects.