§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with Spanish counterparts concerning the re-opening of discussions on sovereignty-sharing over Gibraltar; when these discussions took place; and which country initiated the talks. [188484]
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on diplomatic discussions between his Department and the Spanish Government over joint sovereignty of Gibraltar. [189196]
§ Mr. Straw[holding answer 14 September 2004]: Members of my Department have regular discussions with their Spanish counterparts on a wide range of issues, as do I and my ministerial colleagues. It is natural that these should include Gibraltar Since the election of the PSOE government, the Spanish side has several times expressed a wish to re-open discussions on a number of issues concerning Gibraltar, including sovereignty. As we have consistently made clear, there will be no change to Gibraltar's sovereignty without the consent of the people of Gibraltar.
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many hostile actions have been taken against Gibraltar by Spain in each of the last three years. [189194]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe daily lives of Gibraltarians in a number of areas have faced difficulties in recent years. Examples include delays in crossing the border, disruption to cruise ship movements, a limit on the provision of telephone connections to Gibraltar and restrictions on the use of airspace and diversion of incoming flights.
My ministerial colleagues and I raise these issues when we meet our Spanish counterparts, and press them to rethink their approach. I have made clear in public in Spain and in Spanish when necessary that such actions are neither justified, nor helpful, nor acceptable.
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the celebrations to mark the 300 years of British rule over Gibraltar. [189195]
§ Mr. MacShaneWe are playing a full part in celebrating the warm relationship that we have enjoyed with the people of Gibraltar for the past 300 years. The Government are participating in an extensive programme of commemorative events taking place in both Gibraltar and the UK. The Royal Gibraltar Regiment and military units from the United Kingdom, including the Royal Marines, the Royal Engineers, the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy ships and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are taking part in a total of more than 20 events throughout the year. My right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary visited Gibraltar on 4 August to be present at events celebrating the Tercentenary and the granting of the Freedom of the City to the Royal Navy. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary hopes to attend an event in the UK to commemorate the Gibraltar Tercentenary later this year.
1832W
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what impact the change of government in Spain has had on discussions on Gibraltar. [189244]
§ Mr. MacShaneFollowing the change of government in Madrid, Ministers and officials have continued to have regular discussions with their Spanish counterparts on a wide range of issues. It is natural that these should include Gibraltar.
There are signs that the Spanish Government is prepared to consider greater co-operation with Gibraltar, including between local authorities in the Campo region. I welcome this, and encourage such contacts. But, as I have made clear to my Spanish counterpart, there will be no change in Gibraltar's sovereignty without the consent of the people of Gibraltar.
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what ministerial visits to Gibraltar are planned over the next 12 months. [189245]
§ Mr. MacShaneForeign engagements for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and other Ministers are kept under constant review. It is not our practice to announce such visits until they are firm. Because of the unpredictable nature of world events, final decisions on overseas visits are often not possible until very shortly before the day of travel and occasionally not until they are underway.