Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the proposed EU security and defence partnership, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed third-state rules on UK foreign policy autonomy in (a) Gibraltar, (b) the Falkland Islands and (c) other overseas territories.

The UK is sovereign over its Overseas Territories (OTs) and is responsible for their external affairs, defence, and security. The UK is proud of the significant role the OTs play to support the UK's, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization's, global security and defence objectives. The Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) will in no way impact that significant role, nor will it affect the security and defence relationship between the UK and our Overseas Territories. Furthermore, the SDP does not impact existing or future cooperation between European Union partners and UK Overseas Territories across the globe. The SDP is clear that UK Overseas Territories can be included in future arrangements or agreements.