Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether proposed ad hoc talks involving them and the governments of Spain and Gibraltar are to take place; and if so, at what level and with what agenda.

The former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), proposed ad hoc talks involving official and expert level participants in April 2012. The aim is to improve regional cooperation on issues of mutual interest. We are working with the other participants to agree details, including the date and agenda, and are optimistic that talks will be able to take place soon.