Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative) on Thursday, 8 January 2015, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 January 2015. It was answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative) on Monday, 19 January 2015 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Gibraltar: Spain

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the apparent incursions by Spanish fishing vessels into British Gibraltar territorial water on 26 December 2014.

Answer: A Spanish fishing vessel was present in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW) on 26 December 2014. However, Spanish fishing vessels do not constitute State vessels. Accordingly, our assessment is that this incident did not give rise to any violation of British sovereignty. In accordance with the Constitutional division of responsibilities between the British Government and Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar, the enforcement of laws relating to the activity of commercial and recreational vessels in BGTW is a matter for the authorities in Gibraltar.

Secondary information