§ Lord Hoyleasked Her Majesty's Government:
What comments they have on the poll undertaken by the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia which showed that 41 per cent of Spaniards questioned were in favour of granting Gibraltar some form of independence. [HL4411]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe are aware of the poll to which the noble Lord refers. However, it is not our practice to comment on such polls or the methodology that underlies them. The 1713 Treaty of Utrecht provides that, were the UK to relinquish sovereignty, the right of the first refusal would be given to Spain. Thus independence would only be an option with Spanish consent.
140WA
§ Lord Hoyleasked Her Majesty's Government:
If Spain and Her Majesty's Government each agreed proposals on Gibraltar, how long they will give the Government of Gibraltar and its people to study the proposals before these are put to a referendum. [HL4412]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanI refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave to him on 15 May (Official Report, col. WA 52).
§ Lord Hoyleasked Her Majesty's Government:
What actions they are taking through the Brussels Process, arising from the communiqué of 1984, to lift the ban on access to Gibraltar from Spain by air and ferry; and when the Government and the Government of Spain last had talks about this ban. [HL4413]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanIn accordance with the terms of the Brussels Communiqué, 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 cooperation on a mutually beneficial basis on economic, cultural, touristic, aviation, military and environment matters. These talks are ongoing.