§ 73. Mr. Doddsasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will recall Rear-Admiral T. W. Best, the Royal Navy Flag Officer for Gibraltar, in view of his behaviour at the Spanish frontier on Friday, 2nd July, which has caused concern among the people of Gibraltar, who are suffering hardship and frustration at the hands of the Spanish authorities.
§ Mr. MayhewNo. There have been no restrictions on walking across the frontier and Admiral Best, like many other Gibraltarians and Service men, has been in the habit of crossing on foot for exercise. He was not enjoying any special privileges, and became involved in a demonstration solely because the crowd recognised him as a local public figure. The Governor of Gibraltar has denied a Press report that he promised the demonstrators' representatives that he would forward a request for the recall of Admiral Best.