§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions Gibraltar's status(a) within the European Union and (b) with Spain has been raised by him at his meetings with the Foreign Minister of Spain over the past two years. [24473]
§ Mr. David DavisMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs meets the Spanish Foreign Minister regularly. Detailed discussions on Gibraltar are held under the auspices of the Brussels process. The last such meeting was on 20 December 1994 in London.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions British citizens using the border between Gibraltar and Spain have been subject to delays initiated by the Spanish authorities during the past 14 days; and if he will make a statement. [24474]
§ Mr. David DavisBritish citizens have been subject to some delays on each of the past 14 days. As we have repeatedly made clear, we consider the delays caused by the Spanish controls at the Spain-Gibraltar frontier excessive and unjustified. We have protested vigorously to the Spanish authorities.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions Gibraltar's status within the European Union has been raised formally in any of the Council of Ministers other than the Heads of Governments Council, over the past two years; and if he will make a statement. [24472]
§ Mr. David DavisGibraltar is within the European Union as part of the United Kingdom by virtue of article 227(4) of the EC treaty, although Gibraltar remains outside certain areas of Community policy. These issues have not been formally raised in EU Council of Ministers' meetings over the past two years.