– in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 14 Rhagfyr 1964.
Mr Simon Digby
, West Dorset
12:00,
14 Rhagfyr 1964
asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the present situation with regard to delays at La Linea for persons wishing to enter Spain from Gibraltar.
Mr Geoffrey Lloyd
, Sutton Coldfield
asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs what reply the Spanish Government have made to representations about the restrictions placed on the border between Gibraltar and Spain.
Mr Willie Hamilton
, Fife West
asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs what recent representations have been made by the Spanish Government on the future of Gibraltar; and what was the nature of his reply.
Mr George Jeger
, Goole
asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received assurances from the Spanish Government of a return to normal conditions at the Gibraltar frontier; and if he will make a statement.
Mr Anthony Kershaw
, Stroud
asked the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made to the Spanish Government about delays to travellers on the Gibraltar-Spanish frontier; and whether he will make a statement.
Mr Walter Padley
, Ogwr
Conditions on the Gibraltar-Spanish frontier remain as described to the House by my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary on 26th November. Since the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Goole (Mr. George Jeger) on 30th November, further representations on this matter have been made to the Spanish Government, whose answer is awaited. As the Colonial Secretary made clear in his statement, we desire good relations with Spain. However, our relations cannot but be affected by the further continuation of restrictions on the Gibraltar frontier.
Mr Simon Digby
, West Dorset
How far is this affecting the position of Spaniards who earn their livelihood in Gibraltar? When does the hon. Gentleman expect to get a further official reply from the Spanish Government?
Mr Walter Padley
, Ogwr
We all hope that this matter can be brought to a speedy conclusion. I assure the House that we have left the Spanish Government in no doubt of the gravity with which we regard the situation. I hope that we shall shortly be able to make a favourable announcement to the House.
Mr George Jeger
, Goole
Would my hon. Friend consider reimposing visa restrictions between Britain and Spain, particularly during the forthcoming holiday season, and perhaps instituting a six months' delay in the examination of each application for a visa?
Mr Walter Padley
, Ogwr
It would be inappropriate for me to announce any such measures today.
Mr Willie Hamilton
, Fife West
Would not my hon. Friend agree that the questions that have been put and the answers he has given confirm the justice of Her Majesty's Government's position in refusing frigates for the Spanish Navy?
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
