§ Sir W. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs by what authority the immigration authorities in Gibraltar grant permits of residence for Moroccans and Spaniards, but refuse such permits to Indian British subjects.
§ Mr. George ThomsonUnder the Immigration Control Ordinance, 1962, authority to grant permits of residence in Gibraltar is vested in the principal immigration officer, subject to appeal to the Governor. In practice permits of residence are normally granted only for purposes of employment and when no suitable local person is available. Applications are considered on the merits of each case.
Sir W. Teeingasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what is the definition of a Gibraltarian under the colony's ordinances.
§ Mr. George ThomsonA Gibraltarian is defined by the Gibraltarian Status Ordinance as a person who is registered in the Register of Gibraltarians established and maintained under that Ordinance. Since the definition of persons entitled to be so registered is lengthy and involved I will send the hon. Member a copy of the Ordinance.
§ Sir W. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs, in view of the fact that the Gibraltar Housewives League have decided to continue their 251W work of replacing Spanish women no longer allowed to work in Gibraltar, he will give an assurance that Spanish women will not be allowed to enter Gibraltar for daily work displacing the Housewives League as home helps.
§ Mr. George ThomsonYes. No employment permits are now issued to Spanish (or other non-Gibraltarian) women unless no suitable Gibraltarian is available.
§ Sir W. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs how much money he estimates is paid per month to Spaniards who come into Gibraltar to do daily work; and, in view of the fact that Spain will not allow these people to purchase and take back into Spain anything from Gibraltar, how much sterling he estimates is consequently lost to Spain per month.
§ Mr. George ThomsonSpanish daily workers in Gibraltar earn a total of about £170,000 a month. Since 1964 the Spanish authorities have obliged these workers to change all their sterling earnings into Spanish pesetas, and have allowed them to take virtually no purchases out of Gibraltar.