§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of the Governor of Gibraltar concerning the policing of Gibraltar.[21366]
§ Peter HainUnder the 1969 Gibraltar Constitution the Governor is responsible for the internal security of Gibraltar, including the Royal Gibraltar Police.
§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many inquiries his Department has received concerning the future of Gibraltar since 7 June. [21370]
§ Peter HainSince 7 June, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received some 224 items of correspondence concerning the future of Gibraltar. These include letters from Members of Parliament, and e-mails, faxes and letters from members of the public. In addition the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received the outcome of a write-in campaign on Gibraltar organised by a national newspaper—an estimated 11,000 coupons.
§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Governor of Gibraltar about delays in crossing the border with Spain. [21367]
§ Peter HainMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not recently discussed with the Governor of Gibraltar the issue of delays in crossing the border with Spain. However, my most recent discussion of this issue with the Governor took place on 29 November.
§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had about the dual use of Gibraltar's airport. [21369]
§ Mr. BradshawDiscussions under the Brussels Process are aimed at overcoming all the differences between the UK and Spain over Gibraltar and at promoting co-operation on a mutually beneficial basis, including on aviation matters.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs discussed issues of co-operation when they met under the Brussels Process in Barcelona on 20 November.
Copies of the joint press communique have been placed in the Libraries of the House. The Government remain keen to see progress on the development of Gibraltar 471W airport and believe that this would bring economic and commercial benefit to the people of Gibraltar and the neighbouring region in Spain.
§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Governor of Gibraltar on Spain's access to the airport in Gibraltar. [21368]
§ Peter HainMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not discussed with the Governor of Gibraltar the issue of Spain's access to the airport in Gibraltar.