§ 17. Sir GERALD STRICKLANDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is prepared to assist in giving effect to a promise, conveyed by his predecessor in 1923 to the Parliament of Malta, that the Malta Naval Reserve would be reestablished: and whether he can inform the House of the steps taken towards that end?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Bridgeman)My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in thinking that any such promise was given. I am not in a position to make any statement at the present time as to the establishment of a Malta Naval Reserve.
§ Sir G. STRICKLANDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the promise referred to was contained in a despatch from his predecessor, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, read publicly in the Parliament of Malta?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI can find no trace of any promise of that nature having been given. The question, of course, is still open to further consideration.