HL Deb 16 November 1982 vol 436 cc517-8WA
Lord Bethell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in view of the proposed closure of the Gibraltar naval dockyard, they will designate Gibraltar as an assisted area, so that funds both from central Government and from the European Regional Development Funds may be available to mitigate the results of such closure.

Lord Belstead

It is not possible to make Gibraltar an assisted area since my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Industry is only empowered by Acts of Parliament to designate such areas in parts of Great Britain. The Government will, however, continue their policy of supporting and sustaining Gibraltar and will fulfil their commitment to find alternative ways of supporting the economy when the naval dockyard is closed.