Gibraltar

HC Deb 19 December 2001 vol 377 cc303-4W

Mr. Jenkins

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what form consultations with the Government of Gibraltar will take prior to the next meeting with Spain under the terms of the Brussels Process. [21684]

Peter Hain

Ministers and officials will continue actively to maintain and pursue contacts with the Chief Minister and Government of Gibraltar.

Mr. Crausby

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what future discussion he has planned with the Governor of Gibraltar. [23913]

Peter Hain

Normal contacts between Ministers and officials and the Governor of Gibraltar will continue.

Jim Sheridan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a decision will be taken on the model adopted by Gibraltar for the 2004 European elections; and what discussions he has had with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar on the participation of Gibraltar in the 2004 European elections. [24028]

Peter Hain

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer (UIN 21531) I gave to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Simon Hughes) on 10 December 2001,Official Report, column 632W.

Mr. Tynan

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with(a) the Spanish Government and (b) EU partners regarding participation of Gibraltar in the 2004 European elections. [24029]

Peter Hain

Following the European Court of Human Rights' judgment in Matthews v. UK, the extension of the European parliamentary franchise to Gibraltar was discussed with our EU partners in the relevant Council working group.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bromsgrove (Miss Kirkbride) on 5 December 2001, Official Report, column 312W.

John Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he proposes to introduce legislation to allow Gibraltar to participate in the 2004 European elections; and when the next round of discussions under the Brussels process will take place. [24030]

Peter Hain

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Simon Hughes) by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on 11 December 2001,Official Report, column 800W; and to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for West Suffolk (Mr. Spring) on 5 December 2001, Official Report, column 311W.