§ MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the petition from the elected members of the Council of Government of Malta to the House of Commons was presented on the 13th instant, and that such presentation was notified in the usual manner in the official report of the day's proceedings on the following day; whether he has since read the petition; and whether, in view of the state of affairs in Malta at present, he is prepared to grant the Commission prayed for.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN, Birmingham, W.)The petition to which the hon. Member refers has been, I understand, presented to the House. I have not myself seen it, but that is of no consequence, because I am fully acquainted with the arguments used by the elected members, all of which are 1297 printed in the Blue-book which has been laid upon the Table. There is no necessity therefore for any commission of inquiry into the circumstances. But I ought to add that under no circumstances whatever would His Majesty's Government consent to give greater power to the so-called elected members, who represent, I believe, only something like 2 per cent. of the population of Malta. In fact, having regard to the way in which the powers already conferred upon them have been abused, it may be a matter for subsequent consideration whether we should not go back to the Constitution of Malta as it existed before 1887, and under which the Maltese enjoyed full liberty and prosperity.
§ MR. DILLONI was living in Malta in 1871. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is widespread discontent?
§ MR. CLANCY (Dublin County, N.)Will the right hon. Gentleman extend the franchise?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The right hon. Gentleman has fully answered the question on the Paper.