Clause 8 - Combination of Gibraltar with existing electoral region
European Parliament (Representation) Bill
9:25 am
Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome, Liberal Democrat)
I am most grateful to the hon. Gentleman: he raises an important point and it will be interesting to hear what the Minister says about the lack of consultation between the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Government of Gibraltar. He may be interested to know that there were no consultations with that Government before the beginning of last year, either. That is outlined in a memorandum from Mr. Caruana to the Foreign Affairs Committee that is included in its first report of the Session 2001–02, which states:
''No proposals have yet been put to the Gibraltar Government as to the manner and timing of the enfranchisement.''
There was a very short window of opportunity for the Gibraltar Government to comment.