To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effects on the people of Gibraltar of (a) the new constitution and (b) agreement over the airport. (191819)

[holding answer 5 March 2008]: Gibraltar's new constitution came into force in January 2007. This followed a decision by the people of Gibraltar to accept it in a referendum organised by the Government of Gibraltar in 2006. The new constitution provides for a modern and mature relationship between the UK and Gibraltar.

As my noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, set out in his answer to the noble Lord, the right hon. Lord Luce, in another place on 21 November 2007, Official Report, columns WA79-80, the airport agreement has allowed for more connections to and from Gibraltar airport and since December 2006 direct flights between Madrid and Gibraltar have become routine. Gibraltar is also now included in new EU aviation measures.