§ Sir John WheelerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of discussions between the member states of the European Community in respect of the draft convention on the crossing of external frontiers.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThe scope and content of this draft convention, together with progess to date, were outlined in the answer that I gave on 20 June at columns 242–43 to a previous question by my hon. Friend following the meeting of EC Ministers concerned with immigration on 13–14 June. The draft convention, and the declarations to be attached to it, were further discussed at a special meeting of EC Ministers which I attended on 26 June. Agreement was reached on the substance, but the Spanish Government declined to agree to the provision which the draft Convention makes in respect of Gibraltar. I will inform my hon. Friend and the House of further developments as they occur.