§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he received a report that the Spanish aircraft carrier Dedalo entered United Kingdom waters off the dependent territory of Gibraltar on 20–21 March; and what action he instructed.
§ Mr. StanleyI received a report on the incident on Friday 21 March. On the Government's response to the incident, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs today.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what action was taken by the deputy fortress commander of the British forces in Gibraltar when the Spanish aircraft carrier Dedalo entered United Kingdom territorial waters on 20–21 March off that dependent territory; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what action was taken by the Royal Air Force commander at North Front, Gibraltar, when the Spanish aircraft carrier Dedalo entered United Kingdom territorial waters off Gibraltar on 20–21 March;
(3) what steps were taken by Royal Air Force Gibraltar to intercept the helicopters which took off within United Kingdom waters off Gibraltar from the Spanish aircraft carrier Dedalo on 20–21 March; what assessment he has made of the dangers this incursion could have caused; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyIt would not be in the public interest to provide operational information of this nature. The flight safety implications have been assessed and conveyed to the Spanish Government.