To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 3 March 1998, Official Report, column 513, what plans he has during the United Kingdom presidency for an initiative to overcome legal obstacles to enfranchisement for Gibraltarians by changing European Union law. [33683]

Our approach to the Presidency on Gibraltar-related issues was set out in my answer to the hon. Member for Vale of York (Miss McIntosh) of 6 February 1998, Official Report, column 843. On my hon. Friend's particular point, we have no present plans to pursue the sort of initiative he describes, when the chances of agreement are so uncertain, and we have other priorities to pursue on Gibraltar's behalf.