Written question asked by Lord Risby (Conservative) on Wednesday, 20 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 November 2002. It was answered by Denis MacShane (Labour) on Monday, 25 November 2002 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what action he has taken and will take at intergovernmental and European levels on accusations made by the Spanish Government and by the European Commissioner for Transport that the accident off Galicia involving the oil tanker Prestige was linked to Gibraltar's alleged failure to comply with Community legislation; and if he will make a statement. (Letters in Library Dep 02/2360). - Inc ref to info in Library.

Answer: Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken and will take at intergovernmental and European levels on accusations made by the Spanish Government and by the European Commissioner for Transport that the accident off Galicia involving the oil tanker Prestige was linked to Gibraltar's alleged failure to comply with Community legislation; and if he will make a statement. [83133] Mr. MacShane: We have made clear to the Spanish Government and to the European Commission that the accident off Galicia involving the oil tanker Prestige was in no way linked to any alleged failure by Gibraltar to comply with Community Legislation. The UK's Permanent Representative to the EU wrote to the Commission on this, and I have arranged for a copy of the Commission's letter and the reply to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 83133; 395 c83W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Accidents Gibraltar EU action Oil Shipping Tankers Spain MV Prestige
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk