§ Lord Fearnasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many Gibraltarians will be entitled to vote in any referendum which may be called to decide the future constitution of Gibraltar. [HL3528]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe number of those entitled to vote in any referendum on the future of Gibraltar would be determined by the franchise criteria to be established at the time. The franchise criteria for the 1967 referendum were set out in an Order in Council in 1967.
§ Lord Hoyleasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 12 March (WA 64–65), whether the Chief Minister of Gibraltar has the right to vote on decisions reached at talks under the two flags, three voices formula. [HL3617]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanAs I explained in my previous Answer to the noble Lord on 12 March, the Chief Minister of Gibraltar would participate in the Brussels Process with his own and distinct voice on the British side of the table: a formula known as three voices, two flags. It would be for the people of Gibraltar to decide in a referendum whether any proposals that emerge from the current Brussels Process talks should be implemented.
§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they are taking to reassure the people of Gibraltar that they will act in accordance with the preamble to the 1969 Constitution which states that the British Government "will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes". [HL3670]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanHer Majesty's Government have repeatedly made clear that they stand by the constitutional commitment set out in the preamble to the 1969 Gibraltar Constitution. My right honourable friend the Prime Minister reaffirmed this in another place on 18 and 20 March.