§ MR. T. B. POTTERasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, If he is prepared to state to the House the result of the recent investigation in Malta in reference to the food taxes in that island, and the decision of the Government on the subject; and, if the Government is prepared to take steps to amend the system of primary education in Malta and to secure to the Maltese a thorough instruction in the English language, and thus to give them a full opportunity to avail themselves of the advantages and fulfil the responsibilities of British citizenship?
§ MR. J. LOWTHERI am unable, Sir, to state at the present moment what the result is of the recent investigations into the question of food taxes in Malta, and I am afraid some little time must elapse before I shall be in a position to do so, as the Report which we expect very shortly to receive must be very carefully considered by Her Majesty's 1238 Government, in addition to which full communications will have to be exchanged with the local Government before a final decision is arrived at. As to the question of education, although there is no intention, at present at any rate, to effect any radical change in the system now in force in the island, measures are in progress which will tend to offer increased facilities for learning the English language.