P R O C E E D I N G S O F T H E G I B R A L T A R P A R L I A M E N T AFTERNOON SESSION: 3.06 p.m. – 9.20 p.m. Gibraltar, Thursday, 19th December 2019 Contents Questions for Oral Answer ..................................................................................................... 4 Economic Development, Enterprise, Telecommunications and the GSB......................................... 4 Q261-269/2019 Economic development – Modern modular construction; GDP calculation breakdown; Gibraltar Savings Bank; Guaranteed Superannuation Fund Bond; Gibraltar Provident Trust (No 2) Pensions Scheme Special Fund; NatWest/Barclay’s loan; inwards investments/loans from China ................................................................................................. 4 Q270-272/2019 Government-funded training schemes – Types of schemes; numbers; applications; acceptances and rejections; disabled applicants .............................................. 11 Q273/2019 Post-Brexit National Economic Plan – Means of funding .................................... 18 Education, Employment, Utilities and the Port .............................................................................. 23 Q233/2019 Department of Education facilities – Availability for community use ................. 23 Q234/2019 Portakabin classrooms – Extent of use ............................................................... 24 Q235/2019 Pupils excluded/suspended from school – Numbers, circumstances and education provided during non-attendance .......................................................................... 25 Q236/2019 Students failing to complete courses – Number, gender and reasons ............... 29 Q237/2019 University of Gibraltar – Accredited PGCE courses ............................................. 31 Q238/2019 Supply teachers – Number on supply list ............................................................ 32 Q239/2019 Vacant teaching posts – Details of schools and covering arrangements ............ 33 Q240/2019 New school buildings – Emergency evacuation procedures ............................... 34 Q236/2019 Supplementary question ..................................................................................... 35 Q241/2019 Autism spectrum disorder – Applications for disability allowance ..................... 36 _______________________________________________________________________________ Published by © The Gibraltar Parliament, 2019 GIBRALTAR PARLIAMENT, THURSDAY, 19th DECEMBER 2019 Q242/2019 New schools – Ventilation options ..................................................................... 40 Q243/2019 Statutory Benefits Fund – Balance ...................................................................... 40 Q244-45/2019 Town Range Developments Ltd – Beneficial owners; acquisition of St Mary’s School ..................................................................................................................................... 41 Q246-247/2019 New schools – Construction and fitting out costs ....................................... 46 Q248-251/2019 Social security benefits – Number of people in receipt annually since 2015 ................................................................................................................................................ 47 Q252/2019 Port of Algeciras – Proposed expansion ............................................................. 50 Q253/2019 Maritime Week Gibraltar – Business opportunities and commitments ............. 50 The House recessed at 6.25 p.m. and resumed its sitting at 6.45 p.m. .................................. 52 Q248-251/2019 Social security benefits – Supplementary questions ................................... 52 Q254/2019– Gibraltar Airport – Air traffic control contingency tower ................................. 57 Q255/2019 Gibraltar Airport – Negotiations re hangar for private aircraft .......................... 58 Q256/2019 Gibraltar Airport – Commercial units .................................................................. 59 Q257/2019 Air arrivals and departures – Breakdown of numbers ........................................ 60 Q258/2019 Air arrivals and departures – UK scheduled flights for seats used ..................... 63 Deputy Chief Minister .................................................................................................................... 67 Q274/2019 Europa Walks Estate, Trafalgar Heights, Naval Hospital Hill, Prevost House, Phillimore House and Lake Ramp – Resale restrictions on recently sold homes................... 67 Q275/2019 Sale of ex-MoD housing – Amount collected by Improvement and Development Fund ........................................................................................................................................ 67 Q276/2019 Pedestrian use of airfield – Negotiations ............................................................ 68 Q277/2019 Cross-border delays – Contingency plans re health and care workers and pharmaceutical supplies ........................................................................................................ 68 Q279/2019 Brexit contingency projects – MoUs re financing ............................................... 69 Chief Minister ................................................................................................................................. 71 Q280/2019 New homes for rent – Details of Government commitment .............................. 71 Q281/2019 Main Street – Security arrangements re vehicular access .................................. 71 Q282/2019 New schools – Confirmation of use of taxpayers’ money .................................. 72 Q283-285/2019 Clay target shooting facility, Lathbury and Europa Point complexes – Cost 75 Q286-288/2019 Hassan Centenary Terraces, Bob Peliza Mews and Chatham Views – Construction costs re affordable housing schemes ............................................................... 76 Q289/2019 Francis Flats – Initiator of negotiations .............................................................. 77 Q290/2019 Cruise Terminal – Closure of retail facility .......................................................... 77 Q291/2019 Queen’s Cinema – Cost of demolition and conversion to car park .................... 78 Q292/2019 Double tax treaty network – UK letters of entrustment re expansion ............... 78 Q293/2019 Rooke site – Update re negotiations .................................................................. 80 Q294/2019 Andrea Bocelli concert – Net cost ....................................................................... 80 Q295/2019 Gibraltar Development Corporation – Consultancy agreements entered into .. 81 ________________________________________________________________________ 2 GIBRALTAR PARLIAMENT, THURSDAY, 19th DECEMBER 2019 Q296/2019 Gibtelecom – Completion of external audit ........................................................ 81 Q295/2019 Supplementary questions .................................................................................... 82 Q297/2019 Principal Auditor’s Reports – Responsibility for delay ........................................ 82 Q298/2019 Accounts audited by Principal Auditor – Delay in tabling in Parliament ............. 84 Q299/2019 Gibraltar Government company accounts – List of accounts filed ..................... 85 Q300/2019 Senior public sector salaries and relativities – Review appointment .................. 89 Q301/2019 Financial Secretary – Succession planning .......................................................... 90 Q302/2019 Ministerial conflict of interest – Government actions to address ...................... 91 Q303/2019 Mortgaging of housing estates – Government use of £300 million raised ......... 93 Q304/2019 GIC Ltd – Directors’ fees ...................................................................................... 95 Q305/2019 GIC Ltd – Cashflow realised from homeowners’ purchase of remaining interest in affordable housing schemes ............................................................................................... 96 Q306/2019 External gross borrowing – Breakdown of total .................................................. 96 Q307/2019 Government-owned companies and subsidiaries – Overdue accounts .............. 97 Q308-315/2019 Eruca Investments Ltd – Placement agent; fees to service providers; directors’ fees; Subordinated Liquidity Facility; option agreements; proceeds held as cash; private placement memorandum; responsible officer........................................................... 98 Q316/2019 Census – Collation of additional information .................................................... 101 Q317/2019 Divorced Women’s Pension Group – Resolution of longstanding issues .......... 101 Q318/2019 Public sector reform – Failure to consult GGCA ................................................ 103 Q319/2019 Spanish Protección Civíl vehicle – Results of investigation ............................... 104 Q320/2019 Representation in UK Parliament – Discussions with UK government ............. 105 Q321/2019 Attendance at UN – Joint delegation with Leader of the Opposition ............... 107 Q322/2019 Negotiations with EU – Creation of cross-party negotiating team ................... 107 Q323/2019 Brexit strategy – Update following UK election ................................................ 108 The House adjourned at 9.20 p.m. ........................................................................................ 108