TNAG-1117-FCO40-1391-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1982 — Page 12

GIBRALTAR

C

INDEPENDENCE FOR GIBRALTAR?

14.

Gibraltar has of course already been granted a

significant measure of internal self-government. We are

not aware of any significant body of opinion in Gibraltar

which wants the territory to move towards total independence.

Any move towards such independence would have to be taken

in the light of last part of Article X of the Treaty of

Utrecht which provides as follows:

'And in case it shall hereafter seem meet to the

Crown of Great Britain to grant, sell, or by any

means to alienate therefrom the propriety of the

said town of Gibraltar, it is hereby agreed and

concluded, that the Preference of having the same

shall always be given to the Crown of Spain before

any others'

8

/HONG KONG