§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to accede to a request from the Gibraltar Government to negotiate the entry of Gibraltar into the EC customs union; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesThe Gibraltar Government have not made such a request. If they did, we would consider it in the light of the prevailing circumstances, including our assessment of the benefits of such a step for Gibraltar.
§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the financial consequences for Gibraltar of its joining the EC customs union.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesWe keep this under review and are in close touch with the Gibraltar Government about the cost/benefits of Gibraltar joining the Community customs territory.