§ MR. SUMMERS (Huddersfield)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government have received any information as to the views entertained by the inhabitants of Malta with regard to the proceedings and negotiations of Sir Lintorn Simmonds at the Vatican; whether he is aware that these proceedings and negotiations have excited much angry feeling in the Island, where the proposed project of law is regarded with the greatest disfavour; and whether the proposed measure will be laid before Parliament before it is 324 submitted to the Legislative Council of Malta?
§ *THE FIRST LORD OF IHB TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand, WestminsterMalta enjoys an elected Legislature, where the feelings of its inhabitants are constitutionally expressed. Her Majesty's Government are not aware that the agreement with the Vatican has excited angry feeling in the Island; but if it is not approved of by the majority it may be presumed that the Legislature will not pass the Bill, by which effect will be given to certain Articles. It would be inconsistent with the principle of responsible Colonial Government that the Imperial Parliament should review measures about to be submitted to Colonial Assemblies.