Gibraltar (Hansard, 3 March 2003)

§ Mr. Tynan
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to promote agreement with the Government of Spain regarding(a) better access to Gibraltar and (b) improved communications for the Territory. [100557]

§ Mr. MacShane
The Government secured through the Brussels Process talks better access from Spain to Gibraltar through the opening in March 2002 of a second customs lane at the border. It remains our view that dialogue with Spain and Gibraltar is the only way to resolve such problems.

§ David Hamilton
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission in respect of regulation of financial services in Gibraltar. [100560]

§ Mr. MacShane
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) on 17 December 2002,Official Report, column 761W.

§ David Hamilton
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Government of Spain about(a) up-rating of the pension paid to Spanish pensioners who worked in Gibraltar prior to 1969, (b) payment of the household cost allowance to Spanish pensioners who worked in Gibraltar prior to 1969 and (c) reform of the household cost allowance scheme operating in Gibraltar. [100559]

§ Mr. MacShane
Her Majesty's Government have received a number of representations from the Government of Spain on these issues.