§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy for ensuring that the people of Gibraltar enjoy the full benefits of membership including the right to vote in Euro-elections and for aircraft using Gibraltar airport to use EU airspace; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe expect Gibraltarians to enjoy those benefits to which they are entitled by virtue of Gibraltar's status within the European Union. We have made this clear whenever necessary. Annexe 2 of the 1976 EC Act on direct elections limits the franchise for European parliamentary elections to the United Kingdom.
There are no special restrictions affecting the ability of aircraft using Gibraltar airport to fly in the airspace of any EU member state.
§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting with the Spanish Foreign Minister, Señor Javier Solana, concerning Gibraltar and related matters.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary had very useful discussions with the Spanish Foreign Minister on 19 and 20 December 1994 on a wide range of issues, including Gibraltar. He welcomed the lifting of secondary checks at the frontier and stressed that they should not be reimposed. We agreed on the need for further practical co-operation on a trilateral basis to tackle drugs trafficking. He made clear that we would not deviate from our commitment to the people of Gibraltar in the 1969 constitution. There was no substantive discussion of sovereignty issues.
A joint statement was agreed and issued to the press on 20 December. A copy of this will shortly be placed in the House of Commons Library.