§ 57. Mr. George Jegerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now make a statement on Anglo-Spanish relations following the publication of the Spanish Red Book on Gibraltar.
§ Mr. M. StewartI have no general statement to make at present. Since the publication of the Red Book, the General Assembly of the United Nations has called on Spain and the United Kingdom to begin talks about Gibraltar in order to find a negotiated solution. On 17th January the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs informed Her Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid that the Spanish Government was ready to initiate these talks. This communication is now being considered.
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§ 62 and 63. Mr. Brian Waldenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) if the Government is aware of the threats against Gibraltar contained in the Spanish Red Book; and what steps are being taken to deal with such threats;
(2) what consideration Her Majesty's Government has given to the inexactitudes contained in the Spanish Red Book; and what reply the Government intend to make to it.
§ Mr. M. StewartI will, with permission, answer this Question and Question No. 63 together.
Her Majesty's Government are aware that the Red Book alleges that it would be open to Spain to take certain steps under the Spanish interpretation of the Treaty of Utrecht. It was, of course, in part a reply to our own White Paper. Our general view of it has been made known to the Spanish Government.