§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the prospects for reopening the border between Gibraltar and Spain; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HattersleySuccessive British Governments have urged the Spanish authorities to open the border. I believe that the Government of Spain are becoming increasingly conscious of the need to take account of the views of the Gibraltarians. I hope that this will in the course of time lead them to reopen the border. The Spanish Government have, in recent months, authorised small and temporary easements of the restrictions on communications between Spain and Gibraltar. I hope that they will take this process further. Meanwhile the gates on the Gibraltar side, as always, remain open every day.