To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission regarding Spain's non-acceptance of the Gibraltar identity card; and if he will make a statement. [34136]

We formally complained to the European Commission in October 1995 about Spain's refusal to accept Gibraltar ID cards as valid travel documents within the EU/EEA under the terms of Directive 68/360/EEC. The complaint is now being pursued through the procedures of the Commission with whom we remain in close touch.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of Spain's warning that its controls over Gibraltar will be increased if negotiations on the future of the Rock do not progress; and if he will make a statement. [34137]

We do not accept that there should be a link between the controls Spain operates at the Spain/Gibraltar border and any discussion about Gibraltar's status. Spain has the right to carry out customs controls as Gibraltar is outside the Community Customs Territory. The Spanish Foreign Minister has given an assurance that delays will be kept to a minimum. We look to Spain to respect that assurance and to ensure that any checks are proportionate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the European Commission has commenced infraction procedures with Spain in her non-compliance with European Union law through non-acceptance of the Gibraltar identity card; and if he will make a statement. [34138]

The competent Directorate of the European Commission has written to Spain and to other Member States seeking the recognition of Gibraltar ID cards as valid for travel throughout the EU/EEA. We remain in close touch with the Commission on the subject.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had concerning the situation of Moroccan workers originally invited to Gibraltar to work for the Ministry of Defence and subsequently made redundant. [34294]

I have discussed the situation of Moroccan workers with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar and with representatives of the TGWU in Britain and Gibraltar.