Gibraltar: Spain
(asked on 7th July 2015) - View Source
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether a probe dropped by a Spanish survey vessel acting illegally in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters hit a Royal Navy patrol vessel on 3 July; and if so, what action they plan to take, in the light of reports that there were 173 incursions by Spanish vessels into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters in June.
This question was answered on 15th July 2015
I can confirm that during an unlawful incursion by a Spanish State survey vessel into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW) on 3 July, the vessel’s probe struck a Royal Navy vessel as it deployed. The British Government protested immediately to the Spanish government at a senior level, making clear that it was unacceptable. It was fortunate that no-one was hurt and no serious damage was done. As I made clear in my answer to HL1104, there have been 55 unlawful incursions from 1 June to 8 July. We protested these through 5 diplomatic notes.
I can confirm that during an unlawful incursion by a Spanish State survey vessel into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW) on 3 July, the vessel’s probe struck a Royal Navy vessel as it deployed. The British Government protested immediately to the Spanish government at a senior level, making clear that it was unacceptable. It was fortunate that no-one was hurt and no serious damage was done. As I made clear in my answer to HL1104, there have been 55 unlawful incursions from 1 June to 8 July. We protested these through 5 diplomatic notes.