Gibraltar (Hansard, 20 January 1983)

§ Mr. McQuarrie
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the costs to Her Majesty's Government of the proposed commercial development of the Gibraltar dockyard; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Raison
The total costs of the proposed commercial development of the Gibraltar Dockyard will not be known until discussions now taking place between A & A Appledore International Ltd. and officials of Her Majesty's Government anf the Government of Gibraltar have been completed. No final decisions about commercialisation and the contribution of Her Majesty's Government thereto will be taken until these discussions are completed.

§ Mr. McQuarrie
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further progress has been made in the negotiations concerning the future of the Gibraltar dockyard; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. McQuarrie
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the two reports on the proposed commercialisation of the Gibraltar dockyard; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Raison
As previously announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on 23 November—[Vol. 32, c.446]—officials of Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Gibraltar are now engaged in detailed discussions with A. & P. Appledore International Ltd. on the proposals the company has put forward. The outcome of these discussions is not expected for some months and no final decisions about commercialisation will be taken meanwhile.

§ Mr. McQuarrie
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will request the Gibraltar Government to provide copies of the two reports concerning the commercialisation of the Gibraltar dockyard in order that they can be placed in the Library for the use of hon. Members.

§ Mr. Raison
The two reports are the property of the Gibraltar Government and I must seek their agreement before copies can be placed in the Library. But, as my hon. 217W Friend knows, the Gibraltar Government were reluctant to release a copy of the initial report when a similar request was made last year. I will write to my hon. Friend when I have had a reply from Gibraltar.