Doughty: treaty expected to reduce passport checks from 10m to 250k yearly

The Minister for Europe says the EU-UK treaty on Gibraltar is expected to reduce the number of passport checks on the Rock from 10 million to 250,000 a year.

Stephen Doughty was answering written parliamentary questions from Shadow Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel.

He also reiterated that the UK Government is fully committed to the double lock on Gibraltar's sovereignty.

Priti Patel asked for an estimate of how many UK nationals could be stopped by Schengen checks at the Gibraltar airport.

Stephen Doughty said as now, the "overwhelming majority" of travellers are expected to pass the checks without difficulty, adding these are carried out in the mutual public safety interest.

He said British nationals resident on the Rock will not be refused entry to Gibraltar.

The Europe Minister said the model of dual checks is specific to the situation in Gibraltar and agreed by its Government, and that it will "unlock the significant benefits of a fluid border".

Ms Patel also asked for the draft of the clause in the treaty dealing with sovereignty - and what steps Mr Doughty was taking to ensure it is without prejudice to the UK and Spain's respective stances.

Mr Doughty said all parties are committed to finalising the text of the treaty as soon as possible, after which it will be brought before Parliament for ratification.

He said the UK government will never hand over sovereignty of Gibraltar, or enter into sovereignty negotiations, against its people's wishes.