§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how he intends to respond to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in respect of the rights of citizens of Gibraltar to vote in elections of the European Parliament. [76637]
§ Ms QuinWe will be taking all available steps to secure extension of the EP franchise to Gibraltar, in the light of the decision of the European Court of Human Rights. However, this can be done only by amending the 1976 EC Act on Direct Elections. This will require the agreement of all Member States. HMG will seek such an amendment in the current negotiations in Brussels on establishing Common Principles for EP elections.