Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Monday, 19 October 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 October 1998. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Monday, 26 October 1998 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will comment on the infringement of Gibraltarian waters by Spanish fishermen.

Answer: Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the infringement of Gibraltarian waters by Spanish fishermen. [55984] Ms Quin: Since the beginning of this year, there has been an increase in incursions into British waters around Gibraltar by Spanish fishermen. We have reached an understanding with the Spanish authorities of the situation that had prevailed between 1991 (when the Gibraltar Nature Protection Ordinance was introduced) and 1997 during which Spanish fishermen respected the authority of the Police, and have been seeking to return to that situation.

Secondary information