APPENDIX 6
Correspondence between the Foreign Affairs
Committee and the Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth
Office
Letter to the Foreign Secretary from the
Chairman of the Committee
GIBRALTAR
As you know, the Foreign Affairs Committee has
taken a close interest in the continuing discussions between the
British and Spanish Governments on the future of Gibraltar. It
has noted suggestions that a joint British-Spanish declaration
containing proposals will be published before the Summer.
I hope you will agree that it is of great importance
that any such declaration is considered fully and carefully by
the House, and that consideration is as well-informed as possible.
It will therefore be essential that the declaration is published
only when the House is sitting and that that sufficient time is
allowed between publication of the declaration and any debate
on the proposals for the Foreign Affairs Committee to hear evidence
and produce a Report to the House in time for that debate.
The Committee intends to discuss its future
work on Gibraltar at its meeting next Tuesday morning. I hope,
therefore, that you will be able to offer reassurances on the
above points before that meeting. I would also be grateful for
any indication you are able to give of when we might expect the
proposals to be published.
Chairman of the Committee
17 April 2002
Letter to the Chairman of the Committee
from the Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Thank you for your letter of 17 April regarding
Gibraltar. I welcome the close interest that the Committee is
taking in the discussions under the Brussels Process.
Following the decision last June to relaunch
talks with Spain under the Brussels Process we have kept Parliament
fully informed of developments at every stage. We will continue
to do so.
As Peter Hain made clear to the House on 16
April we are still seeking to explore with the Spaniards whether
we can reach an agreement on Gibraltar. Our aim remains to do
so before the summer. Peter also made clear that, if we do reach
agreement, it is our intention that the House will be the first
to hear, and I shall seek to make a statement. I can assure you
that any declaration will only be published when the House is
sitting.
I would then want to ensure both that a reasonable
interval elapses between the publication of any agreement and
any consequent debate in the House and to facilitate the Committee's
prompt consideration of such an agreement.
Rt Hon Jack Straw MP,
Secretary of State
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
22 April 2002
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