Gibraltar: Children

Sir John Stanley
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outstanding issues are between the British and Spanish Governments over the operation in Gibraltar of the 1996 Hague Convention on the international protection of children; and when she expects them to be resolved to the extent necessary to enable the Convention to be ratified by the EU.

Mr. Hoon
The outstanding issue blocking the ratification of the Hague Convention, and other mixed competence conventions, by the EU concerns the arrangements for communicating with competent authorities in Gibraltar which Spain has questioned.

Negotiations remain at an advanced stage and we continue to work closely with Spain to find a solution acceptable to all parties.

Given the nature of these negotiations, it is difficult to estimate a precise time-scale for their conclusion. I have agreed to notify Parliament when we are in a position to announce progress that will enable the ratification of the Convention.