§ EARL DE LA WARRasked Her-Majesty's Government, Whether they 682 can give any information with regard to the time when the proposed Constitutional changes in the Government of Malta will be carried into effect; and whether such information will be in possession of the Maltese constituencies before the next General Election? He asked for this information understanding that the Council of Government had been dissolved.
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (The Earl of ONSLOW)said, it was the fact that the Council of Government in Malta had been dissolved; and, inasmuch as it was necessary that a period of three months should elapse before the election of the new Council, it had been thought desirable to take steps, as soon as possible, to enable the constituencies of Malta to consider the new scheme of proposed Constitutional changes. He should hope to be able to lay Papers on the subject, including a despatch written to the Governor of Malta describing the proposed changes, on the Table in the course of a day or two, and they would be in the possession of the constituencies of Malta in ample time before the next election took place.