§ Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to take legal action regarding Spanish imposed delays at the Gibraltar frontier. [71701]
§ Ms QuinIn our discussion of Gibraltar with the Spanish Government, we have emphasised that border restrictions going beyond those compatible with EU norms for a light passport check and customs control (Gibraltar is outside the Community customs territory) are unjustified and counter-productive. We have also drawn the current situation at the Gibraltar/Spain border to the attention of the President of the European Commission; and look to the Commission to remind the Spanish authorities of their obligations. We want to see the outcome of those representations before considering further steps.
§ Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what cost burden Gibraltar has imposed upon HM Treasury in each of the last 10 years. [71700]
§ Ms QuinThe Government of Gibraltar budget is self-financing, and Gibraltar has received no technical aid, programme aid or budgetary support in the last ten years. Ministry of Defence and Foreign and Commonwealth Office activities in Gibraltar are financed from departmental budgets while the Department for International Development deals with some Gibraltar-related pension matters.
§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was his response to the Gibraltar House of Assembly's motion, of 17 December, calling on Her Majesty's Government to reject the Spanish proposals for joint sovereignty; and on what date his response was made. [72212]
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§ Ms QuinWe are, of course, aware of the Gibraltar House of Assembly motion of 17 December. We were not asked for a formal response. The Chief Minister drew our attention to the motion in a letter of 18 December (received on 8 January). I responded to that letter on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 28 January.
§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on self-determination for the people of Gibraltar. [72214]
§ Ms QuinWe support the right or principle of self-determination reflecting the wishes of the people concerned. It should be exercised in accordance with the other principles and rights in the UN Charter and with other Treaty obligations. In Gibraltar's case, that includes article X of the Treaty of Utrecht. This has been the long-standing position of successive British Governments.