Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to protect Gibraltar against further armed incursions into Gibraltarian waters by Spanish authorities.

The Government takes its responsibility for protecting the sovereignty of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters very seriously. The Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron is at the forefront of our response to Spanish incursions, and will continue to challenge all unlawful actions by Spanish state vessels.

The Spanish Government has reassured us that safety of lives at sea is a top priority for all concerned and that their law enforcement agencies will operate with respect for this principle. The Spanish Government has also agreed to our proposal to step up law enforcement cooperation. The Government will continue to press them to honour this agreement.