HL Deb 19 April 1995 vol 563 cc53-4WA
Lord Merrivale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consideration they are giving to further the right of the Gibraltarian people to self-determination, in the light of the Chief Minister of Gibraltar's address on 12 July 1994 to the UN Committee of 24 on this issue and his address, on matters including Gibraltar's relations with Spain, on 8 March 1995 at the "Club Siglo XXI" in Madrid.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

Our policy has consistently been that while we support the principle or right of self-determination, reflecting the wishes of the people concerned, it must be exercised in accordance with the other principles and rights in the United Nations Charter as well as other treaty obligations. In the case of Gibraltar, the right of self-determination is circumscribed by Article X of the Treaty of Utrecht. We are willing to look at options for constitutional change, if that is what Gibraltar wants. But they have to be compatible with the Treaty of Utrecht and they have to be realistic.