§ 50. Mr. LONGDENasked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make any statement with regard to the present constitutional situation in Malta?
§ Mr. P. SNOWDENHis Majesty has been pleased to approve the appointment of a Royal Commission to report with regard to the political situation in Malta.
Mr. SNOWDENI am glad to hear that this decision of His Majesty's Government meets with enthusiastic support from hon. Members opposite. The terms of reference to the Commissioners will be as follows:
To visit Malta and consider the existing political situation in the Island; and to make such recommendations as may seem to them desirable as to the steps which should be taken to deal with it, with special reference to the possibility of re-establishing constitutional government.The personnel of the Commission will be announced shortly.
§ Major-General Sir ROBERT HUTCHISONWill that mean that the present deputation which is over from Malta will not be received by the representatives of the Government?
§ Mr. SNOWDENThat certainly does not arise out of the question.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman in a position to speak for the Prime Minister? Will he receive that deputation?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not arise.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODOn a point of Order. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Montrose (Sir R. Hutchison), that the question did not arise then, and, following that, I asked if he would receive a deputation. Surely that was in order and did arise. Let him answer.
§ Mr. SPEAKERSir Frederick Hall.