§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations, at what level, were made to the Spanish Foreign Ministry following the diversion of the Renaissance cruise liner R2 from its intended docking in Gibraltar on 27 February; [113132]
(2) if he will make a statement on the circumstances surrounding the diversion of Renaissance cruise liner R2 scheduled to dock at Gibraltar on 27 February; [113133]
(3) when he will advise the European Commission on the circumstances surrounding the diversion of the Renaissance cruise liner R2 from its intended docking in Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement on the implications of this incident for (a) Community law compliance and (b) bilateral relations with Spain. [113131]
§ Mr. VazThe British Ambassador in Madrid raised the issue of the Renaissance Cruises liner R2 with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Spanish Prime 505W Minister's Office over the weekend. The Spanish Ambassador in London was summoned to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 28 February to discuss the issue. Later the same day, the Spanish Government's spokesman said that the problem relating to movements of this vessel between Gibraltar and Spanish ports had been resolved. The liner R2 docked in Gibraltar on schedule on 2 March.
The vessel in question is American-owned and Liberian-registered. We are not aware of European Community law directly relevant to the exact circumstances of this case.