Asked by: Lord Hoyle (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have offered any (1) assurances, and (2) concessions to Spain in relation to Gibraltar as part of the Brexit negotiations; and if so, what.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government has negotiated the withdrawal agreement for the whole UK family. There were some circumstances which were specific to Gibraltar which meant we also held talks between the UK Government, Government of Gibraltar and Spain. This led to positive agreement on issues such as cooperation on policing, environmental matters, tobacco and citizens’ rights. These agreements underpin the Gibraltar Protocol to the Withdrawal Agreement.
In concluding the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK wrote to confirm the position we had always held, that Article 184 is without prejudice to the territorial scope and form of future agreements with the EU. However, as a matter of firm UK policy, we will only agree a deal on the future which works for the whole UK and we will negotiate a deal that works for Gibraltar as part of future negotiations.
The Prime Minister said on 26 November, ‘the Government stood by Gibraltar and resisted changes to the Withdrawal Agreement that the Spanish Government wished to make. We are clear that Gibraltar’s sovereignty will not change. It has not changed and will not change. We are proud that Gibraltar is British’.
Asked by: Lord Hoyle (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :
Her Majesty's Government whether it remains their intention to ensure that they do not reach a deal on Brexit without Gibraltar being fully included in that final deal.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The Government is clear that Gibraltar is covered by our exit negotiations and we have committed to fully involve them as we prepare for the process of exiting the EU. We will negotiate as one United Kingdom, and leave as one United Kingdom. The PM has been clear that we are seeking a deal that works for Britain – not an off the peg solution. That deal must work for Gibraltar too.