asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to implement the pledges given to the Gibraltarians, still living in camps in Northern Ireland, to transfer them to London this winter.

Mr. Creech Jones:

His Majesty's Government are deeply concerned about the Gibraltar camps remaining in Northern Ireland, and are doing everything possible to restore to Gibraltar the 1,340 Gibraltarians left out of the total of 17,000 evacuated as soon as accommodation can be made available in the Colony. But it is evident that at least 700 must remain in the United Kingdom for some time yet, and every effort has been made to secure accommodation for these people in London. Owing to practical difficulties. I regret that our hopes have not been fulfilled, and my officers are exploring with all expedition with the other Ministries concerned arrangements for settling them in other parts of Great Britain outside the London area.

Is the Secretary of State aware that the Gibraltar people feel that he has let them down, and that the Minister of Works is also responsible for this?

Mr. Creech Jones:

I think there are various difficulties in the way of settling these people in London. We had hoped that these difficulties could be overcome. Unfortunately, that is not the case, but we have already started again to discover accommodation outside London because of the many practical difficulties of settling these people back in London.

Mrs. Manning:

Could my right hon. Friend say what has happened to the accommodation in Gibraltar from which these people were taken, and why they cannot go directly back to Gibraltar?

Mr. Creech Jones:

It is absolutely impossible to get these people back to Gibraltar. Accommodation there is crowded to unhealthy limits, and the military are still there in part of the accommodation, though they have squeezed up to the limit of their capacity. I can assure the hon. Lady that, where civil accommodation is available, everything possible is being done.

Will my right hon. Friend say why the accommodation that was secured in London could not be used? Surely, if the premises are there, it would be easy to get them ready for these people?

Mr. Creech Jones:

There are practical difficulties in the way. The premises could not have been made suitable for these people until April of the coming year.

Is my right hon. Friend aware, in reference to his earlier answer to a supplementary question, that from my own extensive experience I can say that the people of Gibraltar do not think that he has let them down, but that he is doing his best to find them shelter?