Gibraltar UK-EU Treaty 2026-04-21
2026-04-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Following a recent visit to Gibraltar, the [K MP is concerned about the strategic importance of the naval base and the im [2D [K impact of treaty provisions.
I ask the House to note my relatively recent visi [4D [K visit to Gibraltar. The naval base in Gibraltar is of high strategic import [6D [K importance. The decision to allow Spanish authorities to monitor equipment [K going to British military facilities is concerning. Will the Minister guara [5D [K guarantee that the treaty will neither directly nor indirectly limit the op [2D [K operations, access or security of the UK naval base?
I can absolutely assure the hon. Gentleman of that. [5D [K that. We would not have signed off the deal without those assurances. The M [1D [K Ministry of Defence, the Defence Secretary and others were fully involved a [1D [K at all stages of the process. We have been very clear that the treaty prote [5D [K protects the operational autonomy of our military facilities, which will co [2D [K continue to operate unfettered, as they do today.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Following a significant announcement, the M [1D [K MP acknowledges its importance but seeks assurances about the agreement's i [1D [K impact on Gibraltar's sovereignty and economy.
I congratulate the Government on this significant [11D [K significant announcement. Does the Minister agree that the agreement provid [6D [K provides additional safeguards to Gibraltar's sovereignty while creating ne [2D [K new economic opportunities for its people? Anyone with concerns should list [4D [K listen to the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, who knows what is best for his c [1D [K constituents.
I can assure my hon. Friend of that. It is importan [8D [K important to note that Gibraltar's sovereignty was never on the table in th [2D [K the negotiations—we have been very clear about that throughout. The agreeme [7D [K agreement has been supported by and worked through with the Government of G [1D [K Gibraltar throughout, and it was unanimously supported by Gibraltar's Parli [5D [K Parliament.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Following a previous statement to the House [5D [K House, the MP notes that there has been no follow-up detail promised. The G [1D [K Government of Gibraltar expects the treaty to come into force in July.
Sadly, the statement on 26 February did not provi [5D [K provide the detail Parliament was promised. The Government of Gibraltar sta [3D [K states that the treaty is provisionally due to come into force in July. Wil [3D [K Will the Minister set out a clear timetable for implementation and confirm [K when Parliament will have proper time to scrutinise? Will he guarantee scru [4D [K scrutiny under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act before provisio [8D [K provisional application?
As I set out yesterday, the timetable is not entire [6D [K entirely in our control because it relates to EU processes. Mr Speaker, you [3D [K you will know that I brought forward the draft treaty for scrutiny. Briefin [7D [K Briefings were provided to the right hon. Lady and her colleague. We will f [1D [K follow the CRaG process as usual. The House will be kept informed and able [K to scrutinise appropriately.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The specific date was not given, only that it rel [3D [K relates to EU processes beyond UK control
As I Set Out Yesterday
Not Entirely In Our [K Control Because
Response accuracy