MR. MAC IVERasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If it is true that the entire cost of the Military Services of His Excellency the Governor, who is at the same time the Commander of the Garrison, is cast upon the Maltese; whether it is true that the native inhabitants are subjected to taxation upon food from which Her Majesty's Government claim exemption in respect of the British garrison and of the fleet; if the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been called to a petition from the inhabitants of Malta to this honourable House which was presented a few days age; and, whether it is intended by Her Majesty's Government to give any, and what, attention to the prayer of that petition?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKE, in reply, said, the Governor General of Malta received, out of the military funds voted by Parliament, pay and allowances amounting to £1,000 a-year. The rest of his emoluments were defrayed by the Colony of Malta. There were taxes on grain imported into Malta, which the Government had desired to see reduced or abolished. This tax was not levied upon food imported for the Military Service. This was the ordinary practice in the Colonies. Lord Kimberley had not yet had an opportunity of perusing the Petition presented to the House on Friday last from the inhabitants of Malta; but another Memorial, which was believed to be identical, had been received at the Colonial Office, and would at once be considered. The subject of the reduction or abolition of the tax upon grain was also being considered.