§ Lord Swinfenasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their position on the future of Gibraltar.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyMy right honourable friend the Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones) made clear the Government's position in another place on 6 December 1990. It has not changed.
First, and most important, Britain stands by its commitment to the people of Gibraltar, enshrined in the 1969 constitution. The Government will not enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes.
Secondly, we continue to recognise the validity of the Treaty of Utrecht, which established British title to Gibraltar. Article X of the treaty gave Spain the right of "first refusal" if Gibraltar ceased to be British. Any constitutional change would have to be compatible with the Treaty of Utrecht and sustainable in practice. Independence would only be an option for Gibraltar if Spain agreed.
Thirdly, Spain is Gibraltar's immediate neighbour. The Government recognise the importance of negotiations with Spain, including through the Brussels Process, to overcome the existing differences over Gibraltar. Our ultimate goal is to achieve a lasting solution which is acceptable to all parties and mutually beneficial.