§ 81. Mr. Tapsellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, following the vote of the people of Gibraltar, in their recent referendum, to maintain their close association with Great Britain, he will now give an assurance that in the forthcoming talks with the Spanish Government, Her Majesty's Government will reject any claim that the sovereignty of Gibraltar should be ceded to Spain.
§ Mr. George BrownAs I made clear in my speech in the United Nations General Assembly on 26th October, de-colonisation cannot mean handing a people against their will to another Government. This cannot be done to the Gibraltarians. I stand by that assurance.
§ 82. Mr. Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in discussions with Spain over Gibraltar, he will propose that the integration of Gibraltar with the United Kingdom should be considered.
§ Mr. George BrownNo. I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer 235W given to him by my right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary on 23rd October.—[Vol. 751, c. 373–4.]