Gibraltar (Hansard, 24 March 1999)

§ Mr. Austin
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Spanish Foreign Minister concerning his recent statements about alleged criminal activity in Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement; [76928]

§ Dr. Marek
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent allegations about criminal activity in Gibraltar made by the Spanish Foreign Minister; and if he will make a statement. [76395]

§ Ms Quin
[holding answer 15 March 1999]: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised Spanish allegations about criminal activity in Gibraltar with the Spanish Foreign Minister when they met on 21 February. He made clear to Sr. Matutes the strength of British and Gibraltarian determination to confront criminal activity in any form. He invited the Spanish authorities to substantiate their allegations.
We have received details of some specific Spanish concerns. We have been looking into these, together with the relevant Gibraltar authorities, and are responding.

§ Mr. Wilshire
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the instructions given to(a) the Governor of Gibraltar and (b) the Royal Gibraltar Police regarding the enforcement of the laws restricting fishing in Gibraltar's territorial waters. [78352]

§ Ms Quin
It is not our practice to reveal details of confidential exchanges between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and any Governor or Ambassador. Nor is it our practice to give details of the operational instructions given to the Royal Gibraltar Police.

§ Mr. Wilshire
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the agreement reached with the Spanish Government on fishing by Spanish trawlers in Gibraltar's territorial waters. [78351]

§ Ms Quin
The understanding reached with Spain was not a written document. On 5 October 1998, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Spanish Foreign Minister confirmed an understanding reached earlier between British and Spanish officials on the basis for a return to the situation that had prevailed in British waters around Gibraltar between 1991 and 1997, when fishing took place in moderation and the fishermen respected the authority of the Gibraltar law enforcement agencies. They agreed that we should revert to that situation.