§ Mr. ColmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the next round of talks under the terms of the Brussels process will take place. [36530]
§ Peter HainA further meeting under the Brussels process will be held in due course. The date is yet to be fixed. Our aim remains to conclude a comprehensive agreement before the summer.
§ Mr. ColmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional powers of self-government for the people of Gibraltar are being discussed with the Government of Spain during the Brussels process. [36531]
§ Peter HainDiscussions 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. In the context of an agreed Joint Declaration our objective is a future where Gibraltar can enjoy enhanced powers of self-government, allowing its Government and population to have a greater say in their lives.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will allow the Chief Minister of Gibraltar to attend talks under the Brussels process with the right to veto proposals. [36535]
1309W
§ Peter HainWe have invited the Chief Minister of Gibraltar to participate in the Brussels process on the basis of the two flags, three voices formula, having his own and distinct voice as part of the British delegation.
We have made it clear that any proposals emerging from the Brussels process would be implemented only in the event of an affirmative vote by the people of Gibraltar in a referendum.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what rules govern the composition of the delegation of the Chief Minister of Gibraltar attending talks under the Brussels process. [36534]
§ Peter HainWe have invited the Chief Minister of Gibraltar to participate in the Brussels process on the basis of the two flags, three voices formula, having his own and distinct voice as part of the British delegation.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what practical benefits for Gibraltar have been discussed during the talks under the Brussels process between the Governments of Britain and Spain. [R] [36540]
§ Peter HainI refer my hon. Friend to the copy of the joint communiqué from the Brussels process meeting in London on 4 February that was placed in the Library.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to invite the Governments of Spain and Gibraltar to talks under terms other than those defined under the Brussels process. [R] [36537]
§ Peter HainWe continue to regard the Brussels Process as offering the best prospects for overcoming all the differences between the UK and Spain over Gibraltar, including issues of mutually beneficial co-operation, and sovereignty.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Spain about the right of the people of Gibraltar to self-determination. [R] [36541]
§ Peter HainI refer my hon. Friend to the Foreign Secretary's answer to him on 5 February 2002,Official Report, columns 738-39.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his policy that a bilateral agreement between Britain and Spain on the future status of Gibraltar will be(a) invalidated and (b) suspended if rejected in a referendum by the people of Gibraltar. [R] [36539]
§ Peter HainI refer my hon. Friend to the answer to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East (Sir Teddy Taylor) on 31 January 2002,Official Report, column 151WH.
§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral statement of 5 February 2002,Official Report, column 748, to which Treaty of Utrecht 1713 he referred. [36864]
§ Peter HainThe treaty which provides for the cession of Gibraltar to the English Crown in its Article X was the treaty of peace and friendship between England and Spain signed at Utrecht on 13 July 1713.
1310W
§ Syd RapsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who is responsible for devising and implementing fiscal policies in Gibraltar. [36542]
§ Peter HainUnder the 1969 Gibraltar Constitution, the Governor of Gibraltar retains certain powers in relation to the maintenance of financial and economic stability. Day-to-day control for the financial business of the Government of Gibraltar, including the collection of taxes, duties, licences and fees, etc., lies with the Financial and Development Secretary, who liaises closely with relevant Ministers of the Government of Gibraltar. The Assembly is responsible for the authorisation of expenditure and taxation measures.
§ Syd RapsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason Ministers from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office did not accept an invitation to attend the Government of Gibraltar's talks on their constitution. [36532]
§ Peter HainI wrote to the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, in his capacity as Chairman of the House of Assembly Select Committee for Constitutional Reform, on 30 November inviting the members of the Select Committee to London for discussions on constitutional reform. They did not take up the invitation.
§ Syd RapsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the European Commission on financial aid for Gibraltar resulting from an agreement between Britain and Spain on the future status of Gibraltar. [36543]
§ Peter HainWe have kept the Commission informed in broad terms of our ongoing discussions with Spain within the Brussels process, and in that context have touched on how a possible settlement might impact on opportunities for additional funding in the region.
§ Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Spain has identified to him the practical benefits to Gibraltar of proposals on joint sovereignty. [36546]
§ Peter HainAt the Brussels process meeting in London on 4 February, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Spanish Foreign Minister confirmed their shared aim of overcoming all differences over Gibraltar, including issues of mutually beneficial co-operation, and sovereignty.
I refer my hon. Friend to the copy of the joint communiqué from the 4 February meeting that was placed in the Library.
§ Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guarantees the Government of Spain has given to preserve the Gibraltar way of life during talks on the future status of Gibraltar; and how these would be implemented. [36547]
§ Peter HainThe UK and Spanish Governments have confirmed that under the Brussels process our shared aim is to overcome our differences over Gibraltar and to ensure a secure future for Gibraltar in which Gibraltar can preserve its way of life and traditions, enjoy greater internal self-government, sustain and enhance its prosperity, and reap the full benefits of a harmonious and mutually beneficial co-operation in all fields together with the wider region.
1311W
§ Geraldine SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is regarding the right of self-determination for the people of Gibraltar in relation to Article 1 of the United Nations Charter of Human Rights. [36588]
§ Peter HainHer Majesty's Government support the right or principle of self-determination. It must be exercised in accordance with other principles and rights in the Charter of the United Nations and with other treaty obligations. In Gibraltar's case that includes Article X of the Treaty of Utrecht.
§ Mr. John SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when(a) he and (b) his Ministers next plan to visit Gibraltar. [36545]
§ Peter HainI refer my hon. Friend to the Foreign Secretary's answer to the hon. Member for South Staffordshire (Sir Patrick Cormack) on 14 January 2002,Official Report, columns 28-29.
§ Mr. John SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed the possibility of taking the status of Gibraltar to the International Court of Justice with representatives of the Government of Spain. [36544]
§ Peter HainI refer my hon. Friend to the answer to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien) on 10 December 2001,Official Report, column 632W.