§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to provide the Gibraltar Government with financial aid to pay the Spanish workers who were employed in Gibraltar before the Spanish blockade the amounts they were due from Gibraltar's social insurance scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonThis is currently the subject of discussion with the Gibraltar Government.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of his visit to Gibraltar on 7 and 8 June.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweThis was my first visit to Gibraltar since becoming Foreign Secretary. I was glad to have the opportunity to see Gibraltar for myself and to discuss a wide range of issues with the people whom I met there.
I reiterated Her Majesty's Government's commitment to respect the freely and democratically expressed wishes of the people of Gibraltar. I was also heartened to hear about the Gibraltar Government's plans to diversify and 307W strengthen their economy and to develop practical co-operation with neighbouring Spain in a way which would be of benefit to both.