To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the legislative steps required to enable citizens of Gibraltar to vote in elections of the European Parliament. [76638]

Extension of the European Parliamentary franchise to Gibraltar will require amendment of the 1976 EC Act on Direct Elections. This will require the agreement of all EU Member States. HMG will seek such an amendment in the current negotiations in Brussels on establishing Common Principles for EP Elections. Once an amendment Act is agreed, it will require ratification in all Member States. We will also need to amend UK domestic legislation.