§ MR. SUMMERS (Huddersfield)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the strong objections taken by the inhabitants of Malta to pay the expenses of Sir Lintorn Simmons's special Mission to the Vatican, on the ground that the Mission was despatched by the Imperial Government acting on its own exclusive responsibility, and that neither they nor their representatives had any voice in the matter; and whether, under the circumstances, he will consider the advisability of placing on the Estimates a Vote for the Mission in question? I also beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that Mr. Savona brought forward a Motion in the Council of Government at Malta, on 20th June, to the effect that—
The payment of all the expenses incurred for Sir Lintorn Simmons's special Mission to the Vatican out of the revenue of Malta, without taking the vote of the elected Members thereon, was made in violation of the 29th 1312 section of Her Majesty's Letters Patent of the 12th December, 1887, and that the amount so paid should, therefore, be refunded;that a majority of the elected Members of the Council voted in favour of this Resolution; that the three salaried elected Members of the Executive Council who voted against it have since resigned; and that the Council of Government has been adjourned sine die, without completing the business which it had under its consideration; and whether he can give the House any information on this subject?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHHer Majesty's Government are aware that objections have been taken by some of the Members of the Council of Government of Malta to the payment of the expenses of the Mission to the Vatican out of Malta funds on the grounds mentioned. As the Mission related exclusively to Maltese affairs, Her Majesty's Government do not propose to place a Vote on the Estimates. In answer to the second question of the hon. Member, Mr. Savona did bring forward a Motion in the Council of Government in the terms stated. The Motion was not carried. Eight of the elected Members of the Council voted in favour of the Motion, and six against it. The three salaried elected Members of the Executive Council who voted against the Motion have tendered their resignation, which has not been accepted. The Council of Government has been adjourned, in consequence of the tender of resignation by the three Members of the Executive Council, without completing the business before it. I have no further information to communicate to the House.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYThis is a subject in which Irish Members take an intense interest, regarding it as an attempt by a side wind to bring the authority of the Government to bear on Borne, viâ Malta. I beg to ask what opportunity will be given of discussing the policy of the despatch of Sir L. Simmons to Malta?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI apprehend, although I do not speak with certainty, there will be an opportunity for a discussion to take place on the subject on the Colonial Vote.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYThe Irish Members will certainly raise that most important question, either on the Colonial Vote or on some other occasion.