HC Deb 31 January 2002 vol 379 cc489-90W
Mr. Crausby

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the establishment of joint Anglo/Spanish bodies with responsibility for issues concerning Gibraltar will require the consent of the(a) Government of Gibraltar and (b) people of Gibraltar in a referendum. [30671]

Peter Hain

Discussions 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. The Government will stand by the commitment to the people of Gibraltar set out in the preamble of the 1969 Gibraltar Constitution.

Mr. Crausby

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what talks have taken place under the Brussels Process regarding the possibility of joint Anglo/Spanish sharing of the policing of Gibraltar. [30627]

Peter Hain

None.

Jim Dobbin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the creation of a joint Anglo/Spanish body with responsibility for(a) Gibraltar's airport and (b) Gibraltar's foreign affairs will be discussed under the Brussels Process. [30669]

Peter Hain

Discussions under the Brussels Process will continue to include economic, cultural, touristic, aviation, environmental matters and the issue of sovereignty.

Jim Dobbin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has for the celebration for the 300th anniversary of British presence in Gibraltar. [30701]

Peter Hain

The 300th anniversary of the British presence in Gibraltar will fall in 2004. An announcement regarding celebrations will be made at the appropriate time.

Mr. Laxton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if a referendum on a bilateral agreement between the UK and Spain under the terms of the Brussels Process will be called only with the consent of the Government of Gibraltar; and if a bilateral agreement between Britain and Spain under the terms of the Brussels Process will lapse if rejected by voters in Gibraltar in a referendum. [30623]

Peter Hain

I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Mr. Mackinlay) on 12 December 2001,Official Report, column 853W.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet the Chief Minister of Gibraltar. [31056]

Peter Hain

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I met the Chief Minister of Gibraltar most recently on 25 January. We discussed various proposals to meet his concerns, invited him to stay in close touch, and await his response.