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Question
The shadow asks for confirmation on the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act process and scrutiny timetable, stressing the need to avoid a repeat of the Chagos deal’s lack of transparency. She also requests an unambiguous guarantee that nothing in the agreement constrains the UK military base's operations and freedom.
Minister reply
The Minister responded by emphasising the treaty’s adherence to British sovereignty over Gibraltar and its commitment to the operational autonomy of the military base, ensuring no constraints on HM Armed Forces’ movement or control.
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Question
The shadow seeks details on stress-testing with British businesses and asks for guidance publication timelines regarding commercial goods entry into Gibraltar. She also raises concerns about border chaos during the implementation phase.
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed that comprehensive testing has been conducted to ensure smooth operations, but did not provide specific dates for business guidance publications.
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Question
She inquires about the impact of Gibraltar’s new residency regulations on British citizens’ ability to live and work there, especially those at retirement age. The shadow also asks about contingency plans should Spain provoke any issues.
Minister reply
The Minister stated that the Government is closely monitoring the situation regarding residency impacts and has contingency measures in place to support Gibraltar if provoked by Spain.
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Question
Concerned about the UK-Gibraltar concordat, she asks for clarification on its implications should there be a change of Government in Gibraltar.
Minister reply
The Minister assured that any changes would respect Gibraltar’s consent and autonomy regarding treaty matters.
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Question
Let me start by joining the Minister in expressing the Opposition’s sincere condolences to all those affected by the recent wildfires in Spain. I am grateful to the Minister for advance sight of his statement. Our starting position is that an agreed legal basis for Gibraltar’s relationship with the EU is needed. Businesses in both Gibraltar and Britain need certainty, British citizens travelling to Gibraltar need certainty, and the many thousands of frontier workers need certainty. We have asked five urgent questions and numerous parliamentary questions to try to establish the Government’s intentions but often receive unsatisfactory non-answers. I ask for confirmation that the 21 sitting day CRaG process will apply and set out the timetable for that today.
Minister reply
Madam Deputy Speaker, may I apologise to the previous occupant of the Chair? There was no substantive difference in my statement as delivered from the copy provided. The treaty is now laid so the CRaG process starts; scrutiny will only take place when both Houses are sitting. We published a draft treaty text on 26 February and have appeared before multiple Committees.
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Question
On the military base, can the Minister offer an unambiguous guarantee that nothing in this agreement constrains the operation or sovereign control of His Majesty’s armed forces?
Minister reply
I can tell her absolutely that military autonomy is protected. Indeed, I think the treaty reflects a new relationship of co-operation: Spain is a key NATO partner, who we are working alongside on many different issues. The agreement reflects a mature and responsible way forward.
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Question
On entry of British goods into Gibraltar, can the Minister confirm whether the new process has been stress-tested with British businesses and when guidance for businesses will be published?
Minister reply
Guidance is being provided to businesses. There are always teething issues when bringing in such processes, but we are actively monitoring what is happening and ensuring that the systems can keep up.
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Question
On the movement of people, what assessment has the Minister made of their impact on the ability of British citizens to live and work in Gibraltar?
Minister reply
I am not sure what she meant by 'reported chaos'. I think there were some slight issues with the first flight that came in, but the second flight has come in without incident. We are closely monitoring what is happening on the ground.
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Question
I congratulate the Minister on this important agreement, which provides certainty for the people of Gibraltar, while also providing economic opportunities and important safeguards for that place. I thank Foreign Office staff for the work that they have done, and both the current and previous Gibraltar Government representatives in the UK.
Minister reply
The agreement enjoyed unanimous support in the Parliament. Gibraltar has been at the heart of the negotiations throughout: one of our key conditions was that Gibraltar was entirely satisfied with what was agreed.
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Question
I draw the attention of the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests, having had the privilege of visiting Gibraltar last July. I warmly welcome the agreement and congratulate the Minister and the Government, together with Gibraltar’s Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister on securing it... (full question as provided)
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman and his party for their wholehearted support, which is very welcome. I assure him that the constitutional safeguards are in place; they are at the heart of this agreement and are entered into in good faith by all involved... (full answer as provided)
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Question
I congratulate the Minister and his counterparts in the Gibraltarian Government on getting this treaty over the line. Along with many Members across this House, I went on a visit to Gibraltar a few weeks ago... Can the Minister confirm that there will be no diminishment in or deterioration of the capability and operational abilities of our forces and our base in Gibraltar? Are there things that this treaty enables us to do that will enhance our military capacity in Gibraltar?
Minister reply
I am glad to hear about my hon. Friend’s visit... The impact is very positive. There will be no changes to our military capability or ability to operate; our autonomy and operational capability remain the same.
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Question
May I warmly endorse what the Minister said about the Falkland Islands, and ask a question or two about security aspects? Given that both we and Spain are in NATO... Is there any danger that, without the land border, people will be enabled to get on an aeroplane and come to the UK who might pose a security threat, and then we would be in difficulty sending them back?
Minister reply
As always, the right hon. Gentleman asks important questions... I welcome the new co-operation with our Spanish friends—our NATO allies. All the appropriate liaison will take place, but our ability to operate will not be affected in any way.
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Question
I draw Members’ attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. As chair of the all-party parliamentary group on Gibraltar, I warmly congratulate the Government on successfully securing this historic, landmark agreement... Does the Minister agree that those criticising this agreement should spend less time speaking on what they believe is for Gibraltar and more time listening to the people of Gibraltar?
Minister reply
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for her work and that of the all-party parliamentary group... I encourage them to continue to do so as new opportunities emerge.
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Question
I understand entirely why His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar needed a new arrangement following our departure from the European Union. However, I believe this agreement is deeply flawed—it is quite clearly a constitutional compromise... Having sat in this House when the previous Labour Government tried to negotiate joint sovereignty with Spain, I know that we simply cannot trust Madrid or the European Union—if we give them something, they will give nothing back.
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman was previously a member of the party that left Gibraltar high and dry when it was in government... His comments about trust are completely out of kilter with what people on the ground want.
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Question
I congratulate the Minister on the agreement. Does he agree that it is only possible in part because of the work that this Government have done to repair the relationship between Britain and the European Union? That is in the interests of the people of Gibraltar and the people of Glasgow who I represent.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The benefits of this agreement go well beyond just being for the people of Gibraltar, La Línea and the neighbouring region; they reflect a new relationship between the UK and EU—one of trust, co-operation and working in the interests of people, business and consumers, not pursuing an outdated ideology. The element of trust that we all collectively were able to inject into these negotiations is why we have come to this successful conclusion, and it provides a very good basis for discussions on other matters.
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Question
Notwithstanding the article 2 sovereignty clause, this treaty demands that Gibraltar aligns with a number of EU laws, standards and tariffs. If the European Court of Justice is at odds with a Gibraltar court on the application of those, no matter of arbitration will ever shift the European Union from being absolutely wedded to the supremacy, in their eyes, of the European Court of Justice. How can that sovereignty test ever be met?
Minister reply
I have been very clear that sovereignty was not on the table. Gibraltar—its Government and its Parliament—has freely agreed to this agreement, and a range of arrangements are in place, as well as dispute mechanisms, to ensure that fluid movement can take place across the border and high standards will continue to be enjoyed. Those are set out very clearly in the treaty, and I would be happy to write to the hon. Gentleman about the detail of those arrangements and how they will operate in practice, but I emphasise that this agreement has Gibraltar, its Government and its people at its heart. They have backed it, and they have agreed to remove that border and the risk of a hard border, which would have been disastrous for Gibraltarians.
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Question
As the Minister knows from our Westminster Hall debate last week, I was part of an APPG delegation to Gibraltar a couple of months ago, where we had a wide-ranging set of meetings. I congratulate all those involved in achieving the treaty. One reservation that was put to me by the Leader of the Opposition there—who did, of course, eventually support the treaty—was about possible future changes. He wanted an absolute guarantee that the people of Gibraltar would have the final say on any future constitutional changes. Could the Minister confirm that is the case?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his consistent advocacy and support on behalf of Gibraltarians—it is very important to see that support on both sides of the House today. The concordat that I have set out with the Chief Minister, and indeed the letter I have written, set out how we will work incredibly closely with the Government of Gibraltar going forward to address any unforeseen circumstances. The treaty has clear provisions in relation to that, as well. Of course, we do not foresee circumstances in which those provisions would ever be needed, but it is important that they are always there, and I am confident that they will stand the test of time.