HC Deb 06 August 1925 vol 187 c1552
71. Sir G. STRICKLAND

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will acquaint the House with the reasons reported by the Governor of Malta as indicating a doubt whether an alteration of the Constitution is involved in a Bill entitled the Malta Trades Unions (Constitution) Act?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)

The Maltese Ministers advised the Governor that as the constitutional Letters Patent did not define Trade Union Council in any way it did not involve an alteration of the Constitution to define it by an Act of the Legislature.

Sir G. STRICKLAND

Is the Colonial Office prepared to accept any declaration of those Ministers which is obviously contrary to fact?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I cannot accept the hon. Gentleman's description that it is necessarily contrary to fact.

Sir G. STRICKLAND

Not necessarily.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

The question merely asked the reasons reported by the Governor as indicating a doubt whether an alteration of the constitution is involved, and I have answered that question.

Sir G. STRICKLAND

Arising out of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary reply, may I ask whether the Secretary of State can place a limit to the gullibility of Colonial governors?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

May I say that I think that is very unconstitutional?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must not abuse his position here by statements of that nature in regard to another responsible Legislature.

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