HC Deb 22 January 1997 vol 288 cc615-6W
Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those European Union countries that have refused to accept Gibraltar-issued identification cards as valid travel documents between EU countries. [11817]

Mr. David Davis

Spain is the only EU member state to have notified the United Kingdom formally of its refusal to accept Gibraltar identity cards as travel documents within the EU-EEA.

Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response the Spanish Government have made to his Department about the validity of British dependent territories passports used by Gibraltar citizens for travel between Gibraltar and Spain. [11816]

Mr. Davis

The Spanish Government's response to our request for clarification of their position does not meet our concerns. My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary will therefore be raising this issue when he meets the Spanish Foreign Minister in Madrid on 22 January, and he will be looking for a cast-iron assurance that the Spanish Government will continue to accept British passports issued in Gibraltar.

Mr. Colvin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what will be on the agenda for the meeting between himself and the Foreign Minister of Spain on 22 January, under the provisions of the 1984 Brussels agreement. [11818]

Mr. Davis

The issue of passports will be high on the agenda. My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary will be looking for a cast-iron assurance that the Spanish Government will continue to accept British passports issued in Gibraltar. We also expect the scope for greater cross-border co-operation to be discussed.