HC Deb 15 February 1877 vol 232 cc387-8
MR. ANDERSON

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether, since the question came up last year, Her Majesty's Government have further considered the expediency of dividing the Governorship of Malta on the expiry of the present appointment, and having in future a Military Governor paid for by Britain, and a Civil Governor paid for by Malta, each at a moderate salary, instead of a single highly paid Military Governor as at present?

MR. J. LOWTHER

In the opinion of Her Majesty's Government such an arrangement as that referred to by the hon. Gentleman would probably lead to an undesirable conflict of authority which in a fortress should be centred in one person, and that person should be the officer in chief command of the troops. The facilities of communication between Malta and England, the presence of able and experienced Civil officers, and the attention given by the Secretary of State to all matters of interest to the community are sufficient, in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government, to prevent the existence under the present system of any inconveniences which cannot be promptly remedied.