§ Brian CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will postpone the Brussels talks with his Spanish counterpart until proceedings on the new constitutional proposal before Gibraltar's House of Assembly have been completed. [30634]
§ Peter Hain[holding answer 25 January 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Andrew Mackinlay) on 12 December 2001, Official Report,columns 853–54W. We shall continue talks with Spain under the Brussels Process.
We understand that the Select Committee on Constitutional Reform of the Gibraltar House of Assembly has agreed draft proposals for constitutional reform, and look forward to receiving these in due course.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanisms will be put in place to ensure a referendum in Gibraltar resulting from any bi-lateral agreement between Spain and the United Kingdom on the future status of Gibraltar is conducted in a free and fair manner. [30697]
§ Peter Hain[holding answer 25 January 2002]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle) on 8 January 2002, Official Report,column 580W. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said in this House on 14 January, the Government stand by the pledge that any agreement reached under the Brussels Process will be subject, in a free, secret ballot, to the wishes of the people of Gibraltar.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions are taking place with Spain to allow re-directed aircraft from Gibraltar to land in Spain. [30551]
§ Peter Hain[holding answer 25 January 2002]: The Government resumed talks with Spain under the Brussels Process in July 2001:these talks continue. In accordance with the terms of the Brussels Communiqué, November 1984, the talks 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.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have taken place with Spain on(a) direct sailings of cruise ships from Gibraltar to Spain, (b) direct flights from Spain to Gibraltar and (c) ferry links between Gibraltar and Algeciras. [30553]
§ Peter Hain[holding answer 25 January 2002]: The Government resumed talks with Spain under the Brussels Process in July 2001: these talks continue. In accordance 34W with the terms of the Brussels Communiqué, November 1984, the talks are aimed at overcoming all the differences between the UK and Spain over Gibraltar and at promoting co-operation on a mutually beneficial basis on economic, cultural, touristic, aviation, military and environment matters.
§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what statutory powers action can be taken against Spain in respect of(a) the open skies policy, (b) air safety and (c) direct sailings between Spain and Gibraltar. [30436]
§ Peter Hain[holding answer 25 January 2002]: No such statutory powers exist.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have taken place on including Gibraltar in the EU Open Skies Agreement. [30725]
§ Peter HainI refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Jones) on 1 November 2001,Official Report,column 811W. There have been no further discussions with Spain on this matter, except in so far as any agreement with Spain approved by the people of Gibraltar at the European Union would resolve this issue.