Jan 09 - UK Again Insists Gib Navy Squadron has Sufficient Resources
Responding to questions on Defence in the UK House of Commons yesterday, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence, Andrew Murrison told Conservative MP for New Forest East, Julian Lewis that the strategic value of Gibraltar is made clear in the 2012 White Paper o Overseas Territories.
He added that, along with the UK’s other overseas Joint Operating Bases, Gibraltar ‘makes an important contribution to the security interests of the UK, the territories themselves and our allies. Gibraltar also supports a range of defence engagement activities including, for example, Royal Gibraltar Regiment training exercises in north and west Africa. Her Majesty's Naval Base in Gibraltar is regularly used by the navies of our allies and partners.’
MP Julian Lewis asked a further question on whether the UK has plans to permanently base a frigate in Gibraltar. In response Mr Murrison said, ‘he Government assesses that the Royal Navy in Gibraltar has sufficient assets to deliver its current tasking. However, we constantly review the permanent and visiting naval presence in and around Gibraltar and will adjust it if necessary. We expect larger Royal Navy ships to continue to visit Gibraltar in relation to operational and training activity, reflecting its utility as a permanent joint operating base. However, they will continue to be based in the UK. Diplomatically, we continue to focus on political engagement with the Spanish Government.
Later this month, the House of Lords will discuss any response received from the Spanish Government on incursions by Spanish vessels into BGTW, as well as frontier delays.
