Apart from any coverage in our news pages, Gibraltar press releases are published here in full.  Send your press releases to us by Fax to 74664 or by email to gibnews@gibnet.gi

CAMMELL LAIRD CALLS IN THE RECEIVERS

Cammell Laird Holdings PLC ("Cammell Laird or the Group"), the international marine services company, today announced that it has asked its principal bankers to appoint Receiver at its intermediate holding company, Cammell Laird Group PLC which is the holding company for all the operating subsidiaries within the Group.

This decision follows a recent Series of events that has caused significant damage to the trading and financial position of the Group.

In Autumn 2000, the Group had a record level of enquiries totalling approximately £750m which gave the directors high confidence in the future prospects of the Group.

The business had grown substantially reporting pre-tax profits to April 2000 of £15.9m investment was made in ernployees and infrastructure in anticipation of further growth.

The enquiries however did not translate into firm orders. In late October, a six-ship ro-ro contract for the Ministry of Defence was awarded to the German shipyard, Flensburger, and Harland and Wolff. A further naval order for four large landing craft could not be pursued with any prospect of success due to the Government's bidding process The work was awarded to BAe Systems and Swan Hunter with the result that the Group's shipyards were the only major facilities in the country not to benefit from Government orders

Undoubtedly, the biggest impact on the deterioration in the Group's position was the Costa Classica contract dispute. The contract involved a £50m lengthening of a cruise ship Signed in late summer of 1999, the work involved building a mid-body section for insertion into the vessel between November 2000 and March 2001.

Given the credit worthiness of Costa Crociere, the Group's confidence in its own technical ability, and the desire to further establish ourselves in the important cruise ship market. the Group agreed to accept a contract with back end payments.

The Costa Classica was due to arrive for conversion on 23 November 2000. On 18 November the vessel left its homeport of Genoa fort Birkenhead with 30 Cammell Laird staff on board to carry out preparatory work.

On 21 November, following a meeting between the parties. Costa Crociere advised Cammell Laird that it required the Group to accept an amended contract with significantly more onerous conditions.

In their letter, Costa gave the Board until 27 November to respond, but in the event they re-called the vessel on 22 November with Group personnel being put ashore at La Coruna in Northern Spain.

Urgent explanation was sought from Costa Crociere who subsequently informed the Group that they were seeking to appoint arbitrators to assess whether they had the right to "suspend" or "terminate" the contract because of alleged delays and technical issues. These allegations were in contrast with an independent report received by both parties from the contract-appointed technical experts Further, the allegations were not consistent with the despatch of the vessel for Birkenhead.

It is the Group's legal counsel's opinion that Cammell Laird has a very strong case in law. However, the arbitration process to resolve this issue is likely to exceed two years.

Under the terms of the contract, Costa Crociere provided a 24 million bank guarantee in the event of their failure to meet their obligations. Cammell Laird has called this guarantee but Costa's Italian bankers have, to date, refused to pay it.

The direct and indirect impact of Costa's actions have been very damaging. The direct impact has been loss of profit on the contract and significant cash outflow.

Indirectly, the Group has suffered the additional costs of downsizing the workforce, carrying excess overhead costs and the significant negative impact on employee morale. Furthermore, Costa's actions caused the trade and financial markets to have doubts about Cammell Laird's financial viability, which, combined with media speculation, all contributed to damage the Company's trading and financial position.

During the period since November. the Group has also been working hard to Secure a $500 million contract to build two luxury cruise ships for Luxus (UK) Limited. Cammell Laird has made strenuous eforts to improve the Government's offer of support to Luxus. Various assessments were made of Cammell Laird's capability and project plan which all stood up to scrutiny. However, to date, the support package has not been sufficiently improved to enable the project to proceed.

The impact of all of the above created an environment of lower customer confidence and employee morale leading to less work at tighter margins, the Directors had embarked upon a strategy of re-organisation and re-focusing of the business which included a possible restructuring of the balance sheet and possible sale of the business as a going concern. However, the Group now has insufficient working capital to complete this strategy and accordingly has taken the action announced today

The Directors of die Group will continue to provide whatever assistance they can to the receivers to protect the future prospects of the business and safeguard jobs.

Environmental Safety Group

The Environmental Safety Group strongly condemns the go-ahead given to the MoD for the final testing and reactor start-up. Yesterday’s statement from the Gibraltar Government has been expected and is totally rejected. We understand that amidst other problems at present facing Gibraltar, like the taxi dispute and Ladbrokes situation, the Tireless saga will soon be pushed into the background. If, however, this statement had been issued last summer, there would have been a public outcry. As it is, the close to 12 month defusing period has been successful, and the public have lost the momentum and will to resist. As members of our community, with concern for our children, ourselves and our environment, we fear the precedent that these repairs represent for the MoD to override public opinion and repair future nuclear submarines here. We had the chance to ensure, not only that it does not happen again, but that it did not happen at all. To tell us that recreational submarines pose a higher risk is astounding and confirms a situation that we cannot accept. To say that the GibPuBSafe is adequate is laughable when you consider that a member of the Govt. panel of experts has heavily criticised the very UK plan upon which ours is based. We are being told to accept that, given the strict controls that are in place, there is never going to be a risk to the public. Our advice from nuclear experts confirms that the repairs done on Tireless are innovative, and that the risk cannot be estimated. We have also witnessed how the strictest of procedures can be bypassed, as happened recently with the Greenpeace incident, the fire on board Tireless and the Tornado near accident. We think that we should not accept any risk, especially one that cannot be quantified and we therefore reaffirm our claim that HMS Tireless should never have been repaired here. We also think that the Gibraltar Government has not been forthright in its handling of this crisis and we would have welcomed a clear and open message from them from the very beginning, on the unacceptable risks being laid at Gibraltar’s door, irrespective of their ability to alter the MoD’s` decision.

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD

GIBEX 2001 - OPEN GOLD EXPEDITION

The next 2 weeks are an extremely busy time for the expedition leaders of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. As from the 12th to the 22nd of April they will be playing host to a group of 15 Gold participants who will be carrying out their qualifying Gold expedition in the Sierra de Grazalema.

You might be tempted to ask "So what's so special about this expedition?" Well, simply put it is the toughest of the expeditions which young people have to undertake within the Award Programme. It entails hiking a distance of 80 kilometres (50 miles) in wild country over a period of 4 days spending 3 nights under canvas. In addition, the participants will be required to carry all their personal and group equipment, their food, stoves, fuel, etc. They are expected to be self-sufficient during the venture and to top it all off they have to produce an account of the venture once they have completed the 80 kilometres thus making it a "journey with a purpose".

What makes this particular expedition slightly different to those normally undertaken by the local Award is the fact that the participants hail from a number of countries comprising the European, Mediterranean and Arab States Region of the International Award Association. Participants will be travelling from Portugal, the United kingdom, the Irish Republic and as far afield as Jordan. This is the first time the local Award hosts such an international event.

The participants will be arriving as from Good Friday and soon after will be organised into multi-national groups. They will then need to become acquainted with each other in order to plan their routes, organise and purchase their expedition food, and familiarise themselves with the equipment they will be using, all under the watchful eyes of local supervisors. The group will depart Gibraltar for the expedition area on Sunday and will return to the Rock on Friday evening.

With such a task ahead it has been necessary to enlist the help of a number of individuals and organisations which need to be thanked for giving up their time and providing certain facilities. These are, at the time of writing and in no particular order; Safeway and in particular the staff members who will be giving up some of their holiday time on Easter Sunday to allow the participants to purchase their expedition food; Toyota Stockholdings Ltd and their team for making available the additional off-road vehicles necessary to ensure the safety of all the participants and providing the off-road training; Bland Travel for making available a coach for the trip to the expedition area; Lewis Stagnetto Ltd for supplying the drinks; Survival Zone and Caxxon Printers for all their help with the t-shirts; GBC TV and in particular Paula Latin and Stephen Cumming who have been brave enough to volunteer to spend a few days in the hills covering the event; Lawrence Robles and the staff at Emile Hostel for being so flexible and helpful; the Gibraltar Youth Service for making available the conference centre and minibus; Marta Pizzarello for cooking meals for the Portugese and Jordan contingents who will be arriving a day early and, last but not least, the supervisors and support staff who will spend their time away from their families (also to be thanked); Brian Cardona, Kenneth Cardona (yes, big brother is watching you!), Bianca Cohen, Alexis Ferrar, Nigel Jeffries, Alex Macdonald, John Napoli, Paul Pizzarello (big brother is watching you too!), Marie Nieve Rios and Mark Zammit. We apologise if we have forgotten anyone but we guarantee not to forget you when we submit an article covering this very exciting and interesting venture.

Anyone interested in obtaining more information about the venture or indeed the activities of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award please do not hesitate to contact Michael Pizzarello on 51971 or email, mjpizza@gibnynex.gi but be quick because he is also going up to the hills!

GOVERNMENT OF GIBRALTAR SPORTS DEPARTMENT

The British Sports Trust - Community Sports Leadership Award. 

Running for five weeks on Wednesday's (6 to 9 pm) starting 2th April and Friday's (6 to 8pm) evening at Governor's Meadow School, plus two Saturday's 9.30 to 2.30 pm 28th April and 26th April at Bayside School.

The Training course is aimed at everyone l6 years and over, young, old, fit or not so fit who would like to gain confidence and develop Sports Leadership skills.

What exactly does the Community Sports Leadership Award consist of and what will I have to do on it?

The course is mainly practical. There will be interactive workshops in Top Play and Top Sport, Leagues and competitions, games and skills practises, NCF modules and the opportunity to put your new found skills into practise by working with youngsters. You will be supported all the way through the course with advice and support from course tutors. The course modules are as follows -

• Organisational and communication Skills - How to organise and motivate groups of people in a safe and enjoyable recreational environment. (NCF modules in Coaching children and young people. Goal setting & planning and Coaching & communication)
  

• Youth Sport Trusts - Top Sport and Top Play - Accredited training surrounding young people and sport.
  

• Emergency First Aid - Five-hour emergency first aid workshop.
  

• Fitness for Sport - Understanding the general principles of fitness and planning for fitness sessions
  

• Organisation of Leagues and Competitions - How to organise different types of leagues and competitions.
  

• Know Your Friends - The best way of working is in partnership, sharing resources and ideas. Who can we contact for help, how do we know what they can offer.
  

What will I gain from the Community Sports Leadership Award?

• The British Sports Trust Community Sports Leadership Award.
  

• Community Top Play and Top Sport certificate
  

• NCF certificates in: Coaching & communication. Goal-setting & planning and Coaching children & young people.
  

• St Johns Ambulance First Aid Certificate.
  The skills to organise leagues and competitions.
  

• Enhanced career prospects.

What will I need to do to pass my Community Sports Leadership Award?

You will need to complete all modules of the training course arid complete 10 hours voluntary service supporting sport and recreation within the Community.

For further information and or an application form please contact Michelle Smallwood at the Sports Development Office, Victoria Stadium or telephone 76522

GOVERNMENT OF GIBRALTAR

PRESS RELEASE No. 60/2001 Date: 10 April 2001

The Government is surprised that the Taxi Association should not consider the action of taxi-drivers at the coach park on 22 March to be in breach of its assurance to Government. In paragraph I of their assurance, the taxi drivers agreed not to:

"Physically blockade or howsoever cause physical obstruction impeding the normal operation of entry points to Gibraltar including the Port, the Cruise Terminal, the Coach Park, the Ferry Terminal, the Airport, the Land Frontier and Yacht Marinas, including the access and egress therefrom.

In the GTA letter to the Government dated 6 April 2001, the GTA admits that a number of taxi drivers wished the tours not to commence until the RGP had arrived and for that reason prevented the bus departing".

The Transport Regulations require all operators to submit to the decision of the staff at the Coach Terminus.

The GTA's letter is therefore a clear admission of the taxi drivers' breach of the assurance not to blockade the Coach Park, which breach is in any case clear from the reports received on the incident from other parties.

Accordingly, the position of Government remains as stated earlier to-day, e. Regulation 118(1)(d) will be re-introduced, without further notice, on the occasion of the next breach of the GTA's assurance.

United Nations association of Gibraltar

Wednesday 11th April 2001

It was extremely encouraging to read that there has been a bill presented to the House of Commons for Gibraltar to have full representation within the house, with regards to all issues Gibraltar related issues.

However as one reads on, it is obvious to see that in section 7-(2), it reads the following 'this act shall not come into force until the approval of the people of Gibraltar has been given in a referendum".

The UNA Gibraltar calls upon government to immediately act upon this 'bill' even though the act has not yet been passed, so as to place even more emphasis on the issue at hand. We therefore ask government to hold the 'referendum' as stated is required in section 7-(2) immediately, so as not to lose ground on this very important issue, towards our right to be fully recognised within the British parliament.

The UNA Gibraltar believe that it would be a great achievement to have Gibraltar' s chief minister petition at the bar of the house of commons, and to also have a legitimate representative for Gibraltar, fighting our rights within the house of commons, whenever the need arises.


Bryan Zammitt

Chairman UNA Gibraltar

The Independent Liberal Forum

ILF, "Care needed with future ventures in Gibraltar"

The Independent Liberal Forum commented last night on reports that Ladbroke's may be contracting their operations in Gibraltar and that staff have been warned of job losses.

"This is extremely concerning. to say the least" said Party Leader Lyana Armstrong-Emery. "Although company management have not confirmed details yet, it seems apparent that they do have plans to reduce their workforce. Doubtless more facts will emerge during the next day or two. In the meantime our sympathies must lie with those workers who will find themselves eventually out of a job."

The ILF leader went on to link this occurrence with the wider question of employment and new venture investment in Gibraltar's economy. "Most people, including the ILF, welcomed, the betting companies to the Rock" she remarked" and we continued to do so, because of the employment and revenue opportunities they provided and despite the spiralling accommodation costs that the influx triggered in the local housing market. however, the recent uncertainly and future unpredictability of the betting industry in Gibraltar should give us all serious food for thought. In future, perhaps we should all be more careful in predicting long-term benefits expected from new companies coming here, whatever their industry or service."

GOVERNMENT OF GIBRALTAR

PRESS RELEASE No. 59/2001
Date: l0 April 200l

HMS TIRELESS

The Gibraltar Government's Panel of Experts on Nuclear Safety has advised the Government that the testing of the completed repairs and the subsequent start-up of the reactor do not raise any significant nuclear safety concerns and that the risks attached are less than during a recreational visit by a nuclear submarine

The Panel of Experts issued its first report on 13 September 2000. That report related to the nuclear safety assessment of the proposed repairs to HMS Tireless at Gibraltar. Since the issue of the First Report the Panel has issued 9 Progress Reports. All these Reports have been published by the Government.

The Panel of Experts, as appointed by the Government, comprises of three members.
They are Mr John Large of Large and Associates, NNC Limited represented by Mr Peter Davidson and Ove Arup Consultants, represented by Mr Charles Milloy.

Following completion of the repair works, the Panel has now submitted to Government its Second Report. This report advises on the reliability and efficiency of the repair works and on the consequent safety factors arising from the future testing of those repairs and the subsequent start up of the reactor itself.

In its Second Report the Panel advises the Government that

1) The repair concept has been sound and the quality of the repair has been assured by extensive analysis, testing, preparation, radiography and surface crack detection. It will be further assured by ultra sonic examination and a pressure test to international standards. The panel advises that these checks and tests are valid.

2) Consequently, the nuclear risks posed by 1-IMS Tireless, when its reactor is started up and operated (over a proposed 9 day period) for final testing of the power and propulsion systems prior to Tireless's departure from Gibraltar, are considered by the panel to be no greater than those posed by a nuclear submarine on a recreational visit. Indeed, the Panel states that the risks posed are less than those posed by a submarine on a recreational visit.

3) The Gibraltar Public Safety Scheme (GIBPUBSAFE) remains valid for Tireless's remaining stay in Gibraltar.

The panel has considered the option of the reactor being started up at sea. This has been discounted on the grounds of operational impracticability and the additional risk to the submarine and crew.

On the basis of this advice, and taking all relevant factors and considerations into account the Gibraltar Government has informed the Ministry of Defence and HMG that the Gibraltar Government will not oppose the testing of the repairs and the subsequent reactor start up.

The current proposed timescale is for a hydro pressure test of the repairs to be conducted in mid April, the reactor start up to be effected at end April/beginning May and the vessel to sail away from Gibraltar in early May. The Panel's assessment is that the date of the hydro test may suffer some delay.

Visit by Spanish Nuclear Safety Council Technician

As stated publicly by the Gibraltar Government the week before last, the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council has requested the British Government to have a technician abroad HMS Tireless to witness the conduct and results of the hydro pressure tests. The British Government has fully consulted the Gibraltar Government prior to responding to this request.

The British Government has, in a letter from FCO Minister Keith Vaz to the Chief Minister, assured the Gibraltar Government that if such a visit is allowed it would be solely to further Britain's desire for transparency and openness to reassure the local population in Spain by addressing their concerns in a spirit of good neighbourliness. The Gibraltar Government fully supports this objective.

The Minister's letter confirms that, obviously, such a visit by invitation does not concede to Spain any right or role in the control or management of the Gibraltar Naval Base and that Britain would not countenance any such concession to Spain

The Gibraltar Government has informed HMG that, on this basis and in these circumstances, the Gibraltar Government is content that the CSN technician should be invited to Gibraltar to witness the hydro test.

Report in full

GOVERNMENT OF GIBRALTAR
PRESS RELEASE

No. 58/2001 Date: 10 April 2001

INCIDENT AT THE COACH PARK -22 MARCH 2001

The Government has enquired into the facts of an incident at the Coach Terminus on 22 March 2001 during which a group of taxi drivers briefly blockaded a Calypso Tours coach and prevented it from leaving the Coach terminus

This action constitutes a breach of the Gibraltar Taxi Association's assurance to Government dated 21 November 2000, in exchange for which the Government agreed to repeal Regulation 118(1)(d).

As this is the first such breach, the Government has decided, on this occasion not to reintroduce Regulation 118(1)(d). The Government has however notified the GTA that the necessary legal instrument to re-introduce Regulation 118(1)(d) has been drawn up and will be implemented without further notice, on the occasion of the next breach of the assurances given.

STATEMENT BY THE GSLP/LIBERAL OPPOSITION

PRESS RELEASE 241 10 April 2001

The Opposition have received two complaints from members of the public whose new identity card has been rejected by the Spanish national police at the frontier. The people involved do not wish to be named for fear of reprisals the next time they go to Spain.

The incidents took place this last Friday 6 April and on Sunday 8 April. The national policeman on duty at the border told a person who displayed the new identity card that he needed to take a passport with it and added that "That by itself is not a valid travel document." The people in question were only allowed through the border because they were on their way back to Gibraltar.

It will be recalled that at the time of the April agreements, about a year ago, Gibraltar was forced to change its identity card in order to accommodate the Spanish view that the words "Government of Gibraltar" should not appear on the cards. This was done, even though the European Commission itself had recognised the validity of the old card and instructed Member States to accept it. Gibraltar was assured last year that the new identity card was a valid travel document, not just to travel to Spain, but to the whole of the European Union.

The Opposition is not aware whether these are isolated incidents, or whether other Gibraltar residents have experienced problems when travelling to Spain or in the EU on the basis of their new identity card. Indeed, the Opposition would be interested if persons who have experienced any difficulty contact us with the details, so that the scale of the problem can be assessed and a dossier can be compiled. Absolute confidentiality will be assured, as in these two cases.

GIBRALTAR TOURIST BOARD
PRESS RELEASE

Sign up for Miss Gib 2001 and win a 50cc Moped

This year's Miss Gibraltar Beauty Pageant will take place on Saturday 7th July. The Gibraltar Tourist Board has extended the closing date for young ladies to sign up for this prestigious event.

Local Travel Agents Exchange Travel have kindly donated a weekend break for 2 to Costa Del Sol to the first young lady to sign on for the show.

In addition the Gibraltar Tourist Board will raffle a 50cc moped amongst all this year's contestants. The first ten girls to put their names forward will also receive £400 cash each.

Prospective candidates wishing to take part in this years Miss
Gibraltar Pageant should be aged between 17 and 24 (inclusive)
on 1st April 2001.

Application forms are available from the Gibraltar Tourist Board at Duke of Kent House, Cathedral Square, or ring 74950 for further details.

The closing date for entries is midday on
Monday 7th May 2001.

OPPOSITION PRESS RELEASE 

No. 240 Dated 9 April 2001

The Opposition has received a second complaint as to the manner in which the selection process for eleven posts of mason in the Government service has taken place.

In the first instance, the first complainant could not understand how it was that people without qualifications or lesser experience, could have been chosen, yet someone who had served the Government itself as a mason for 23 years, had not been selected.

The second complainant is a part-time construction lecturer with the Government. Although the notice advertising the vacancy asks that applicants should have 6 years' experience, three students attending his classes with only 3 years' experience each as masons applied for the posts and were selected. Yet, their tutor, with the experience required for the job, a BTEC National Certificate in Building Studies, City & Gui1ds Certificates in brickwork, construction crafts and communication in technical English, and a DOE/PSA certificate of completion of apprenticeship was not selected for any of the eleven posts without any explanation. The person concerned also possesses two first prize awards from the Gibraltar & Dockyard Technical College for construction and for masonry.

The Opposition cannot begin to understand bow a highly qualified applicant and one with 23 years' experience in Government employment, should have failed to be selected, particularly since there were eleven vacancies to be filled.

The Opposition believes that both individuals concerned should be afforded explanations by the Government as to why they were turned down for those jobs. The public also needs to be satisfied that the selection process has been fair.

THE CHIEF MINISTER
6 CONVENT PLACE
Mr C Zammit
President
Gibraltar Taxi Association
19 Waterport Wharf Main Office
Gibraltar

Thank you for your letter dated 6 April 2001.

The Government is pleased to note that no action has been taken to disrupt the visit of MV Triton. I nevertheless regret that your members failed to provide a normal service to its passengers. In the Government's view, given the events of the last three years, any disruption to cruise visits will cause irreparable damage to Gibraltar's future in cruising. Your. members will be among the principal losers if that were to occur.

I am aware of the latest increase in the cost to visitors of entering the Upper Rock. The Government does not believe that this results in adverse consequences to taxi drivers. I am however, willing, together with the Minister for Tourism and Transport to meet with you, so that you have a further opportunity to put your views to the Government. I am therefore happy to meet with you, and two other members of the GTA Committee.

Unfortunately I am leaving Gibraltar on business on Sunday and shall be away until Tuesday afternoon. If you telephone my personal assistant on Monday she will arrange a time and date for our meeting.

P R Caruana-Chief Minister

Previous Press Releases