Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what role his Department is playing in preventing illegal incursion into Gibraltarian waters by Spanish vessels.

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, challenging unlawful actions by Spanish vessels. These challenges and subsequent diplomatic action by the Foreign Office are vital to demonstrating that the UK does not accept the practice, and to preserving our sovereignty over the waters. We shall continue to work with the Government of Gibraltar on this issue.