§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what account he will take of British public opinion before reaching decisions on the future of Gibraltar. [52151]
§ Peter HainAs my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in the House on 18 March 2002,Official Report, column 29, it is manifestly in the interests of the people of Britain, Spain and Gibraltar to find a proper modus vivendi for the future. We have repeatedly made clear that 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.
§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the heads of agreement reached between the UK and Spain on the issue of Gibraltar. [52594]
§ Peter HainNo agreement has been reached with Spain. Talks under the Brussels Process are continuing. Our aim remains, if possible, to reach agreement by the summer. As I said in the House on 16 April 2002,Official Report, column 452, over the past months, the Government have kept Parliament fully informed. We will continue to do so.
§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on(a) the terms of reference and (b) the outcome of the meeting which took place on 23 April in Madrid between the Foreign Secretary, the Minister for Europe and representatives of the Spanish Government regarding the future status of Gibraltar. [53123]
§ Peter Hain[holding answer 29 April 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) on 24 April 2002, Official Report, columns 294–95W, regarding the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial meeting held in Valencia on 22 and 23 April.
§ Mrs. HumbleTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will visit Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement. [54008]
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he or his Ministers will next meet the Spanish Foreign Minister to discuss Gibraltar. [53239]
650W
§ Mr. StrawI will visit Gibraltar on 3 May. Talks with the Spanish Government under the Brussels Process are continuing. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe will be meeting his Spanish counterpart in London on 2 May.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when he or his Ministers last met the Spanish Foreign Minister and his Ministers to discuss Gibraltar; where this meeting took place; how much advance notice was given of it; what was discussed; and what conclusions were reached; [53241]
(2) whether he estimates that he and his Spanish counterpart will meet their target of concluding a comprehensive agreement before the summer, as stated in paragraph 56 of the Barcelona Conclusions, in relation to shared sovereignty with Spain over Gibraltar. [53240]
§ Mr. StrawI refer the right hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) on 24 April 2002,Official Report, column 295–96W.