§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is Government policy to seek a Spanish commitment to operate unhindered red and green customs channels between that country and Gibraltar. [62320]
§ Mr. StrawThe Government have, in the course of the Brussels Process talks, consistently urged the Spanish Government to ensure that traffic flows smoothly from Gibraltar into Spain.
We welcome the fact that, on 21 March, the Spanish Government opened a new second channel aimed at significantly seeding up the passage of private vehicles across the border.
We shall continue to monitor the situation and discuss with Spanish and Gibraltarian authorities how delays might be further reduced.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the people of Gibraltar's rights in the free movement of services, capital and persons as(a) EU citizens and (b) a constituent territory of the EU. [62317]
§ Mr. StrawThe people of Gibraltar enjoy the benefits of free movement of persons, services and capital by virtue of the provisions of Community law relating to these matters, as far as they apply to Gibraltar. I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 10 June 2002,Official Report, column 821W.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on(a) the provision of more telephone lines for Gibraltar and (b) recognition from Spain of the Gibraltar international dialling code. [62420]
§ Mr. StrawWe remain concerned about the various telecommunications problems that Gibraltar is experiencing. We are concerned that the new telephone numbers offered by Spain at the 26 July Brussels Process Ministerial meeting are still not in use. We have raised this with the Spanish; and invited experts from the Government of Gibraltar to a meeting, with Spain and us, to seek a way forward. But we have always said that more numbers alone will not solve the longer term problems. 7W Our objective remains Spanish recognition of Gibraltar's international dialling code, which we believe is the only viable long-term solution.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is Government policy to seek Spanish commitment to open up maritime and air links between that country and Gibraltar. [62315]
§ Mr. StrawYes. In accordance with the terms of the Brussels Communique, November 1984, the talks 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 on economic, cultural, touristic, aviation, military and environment matters. These talks are continuing.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is Government policy to seek the recognition of Gibraltarian identity cards by Spain. [62316]
§ Mr. StrawYes. It has been the Government's policy to seek recognition by Spain of Gibraltar ID cards. This was achieved as part of the agreement concluded with Spain in April 2000.
Gibraltar ID cards, as reformatted, are therefore now accepted by the Spanish Government.