Dependent Territories: Ministerial Responsibilities

HL Deb 08 April 1998 vol 588 cc133-4WA

Baroness Gould of Potternewton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the ministerial responsibilities in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in light of the recent review of dependent territories. [HL1484]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

As the Foreign Secretary made clear in his speech to the Dependent Territories Association on 4 February, I am the Minister in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with overall responsibility for the United Kingdom Overseas Territories. As Gibraltar is the only Overseas Territory within the EU, the bulk of the work on Gibraltar will continue to be handled by the European Departments reporting directly to the Minister for Europe, Mr. Henderson. However, I will be responsible for generic Overseas Territory issues which affect Gibraltar.