§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in discussions with Spain about the future of Gibraltar.
§ Mr. Hurd:Discussions with the Spanish Government about Gibraltar have so far been confined to arrangements for the implementation of the Lisbon agreement. This agreement provides for the lifting of the present Spanish restrictions and, at the same time, the start of negotiations aimed at overcoming all the differences between the British and Spanish Governments on Gibraltar.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held with Morocco during the past 12 months about the future of Moroccan migrant workers employed in the Royal naval dockyard at Gibraltar.
§ Mr. Hurd:There have been a number of discussions between British, Moroccan and Gibraltar officials about 208W the implications for Moroccan workers of the forthcoming closure of the naval dockyard, including meetings in Gibraltar in December 1981 and April this year.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current level of unemployment in Gibraltar.
§ Mr. Hurd:Figures provided by the Government of Gibraltar show that just under 5 per cent. of the working population are currently unemployed.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what active plans are in preparation for the use of the Gibraltar dockyard for civil purposes; and on what basis installations will be sold or leased to private interests.
§ Mr. Hurd:No firm plans have yet been worked out for the civilian use of Gibraltar dockyard after its closure in 1983. Discussions on the subject continue between the British and Gibraltar Governments. It has however been agreed that, subject to parliamentary approval, surplus dockyard lands and assets needed for a commercial dockyard enterprise will be handed over to the Gibraltar Government free of charge.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what indication has been given by Spain of the date when the frontier with Gibraltar will be opened in accordance with the Lisbon agreement.
§ Mr. Hurd:Following postponement, at their request, of implementation of the Lisbon agreement, which had been due on 25 June, the Spanish Government have not yet indicated a new date for the opening of the frontier with Gibraltar. Her Majesty's Government remain ready to implement the Lisbon agreement as soon as the Spanish Government are willing to do so.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current product of all taxes, personal, corporate, direct, governmental and municipal, in Gibraltar; and what levy per head of the adult population this represents.
§ Mr. Hurd:According to figures published by the Gibraltar Government, estimated revenue from taxation in Gibraltar during the current financial year is as follows:
£ Taxes on Income 18,500,000 Indirect Taxation 6,590,000 Gaming Tax 152,000 Airport Departure Tax 85,000 Companies (Taxation and Concessions) Ordinance Tax 200,000 General Rate 2,389,000 These sums represent a levy of £1,200 per head of the adult population, excluding expatriate forces personnel.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current deficit or surplus of revenue over expenditure of the Government of Gibraltar; and how this is being covered or expended.
§ Mr. Hurd:According to figures published by the Gibraltar Government, the estimated surplus of revenue over expenditure during the current financial year is £250,300. The surplus will accrue to the Gibraltar Government's consolidated fund.