Shadow Minister for Trade, Industry, Tourism and Heritage Dr Joseph Garcia will ask Government whether it has now taken a policy decision on how many larger vessels it intends to purchase, at what cost and for which department, in order to increase the capability of its maritime resources. Dr Garcia has given notice of nearly 130 questions for the Government to answer on a wide range of issues.

Dr Garcia has tabled a number of questions on the Port and on maritime matters. He will want Government to confirm whether it is their policy that the existing floating storage of bunkering fuel in tankers will be removed and replaced by land storage. He will also ask whether Government have any plans to refurbish and renovate King’s Lines underground storage facility in order to store bunkering fuel for ships, or whether any proposals from the private sector have been received in this regard. Dr Garcia will also ask whether the Detached Mole will be developed as a centre for the storage and/or supply of bunkering fuel.

In his capacity as Shadow Minister for Civil Aviation, Dr Garcia will seek to establish how much is owed in passenger tax and in landing charges by each of the commercial airlines that use Gibraltar airport. He will also want details of passenger numbers on the Andalus flight to Madrid and the cost and usage of the bus service that links the air terminal to La Linea. Dr Garcia will also want the passenger numbers on the Transcoma ferry that links Gibraltar to Algeciras.

The Liberal Leader will ask Government to list the applicable EU specifications and ICAO recommendations which are currently being studied and may need to be incorporated into the Gibraltar identity card. Dr Garcia will want to know whether the MOD or the Gibraltar Government would be responsible for implementing any findings and recommendations of the ICAO audit into Gibraltar airport. He will ask how often the Permanent Joint Liason Committee on Gibraltar airport, created in September 2006, has met and who were the participants on each occasion.

Dr Garcia will want Government to say what are the options it is currently considering for the licensing and regulating of certain diving activities in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. He has tabled questions on the draft of the Gibraltar Heritage Act and on the policy of the Government in relation to seeking World Heritage Status for Gibraltar or for parts of Gibraltar. Dr Garcia will ask whether any discussions are taking place with the trustees of the Garrison Library for its handover to the Government.

On other matters, he will also want to know on what date the Government last met with the private sector operators who are interested in becoming involved in the running of the Upper Rock and he will seek confirmation as to whether Government have received any proposals for the development of Rosia Bay.