HC Deb 11 April 1932 vol 264 cc531-3
12. Captain PETER MACDONALD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has made any representations to the Italian Government regarding the tone of the references to British rule in Malta in a speech made in Malta recently by Signor Giunta, an Under-Secretary of State in the Italian Government?

17. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make representations to the Italian Government regarding the nature of the references in the speech recently made in Malta by Signor Giunta, an Italian Under-Secretary of State, about British policy in Malta and, in particular, the policy of using the Maltese rather than the Italian language in the schools and law courts?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Eden)

The Italian Government, whose attention was drawn to the alleged statements by Signor Giunta, have assured His Majesty's Government that the rumours attributing to this gentleman declarations of a political nature have no foundation.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

At whose invitation did this Senator from Rome give a lecture on the British Empire?

Mr. EDEN

No one lectured on the British Empire. The address was given to a private gathering at a club of Italians.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Who issued the invitation?

Mr. EDEN

I shall require notice of that question.

Captain MACDONALD

Is this not an intolerable interference on the part of a friendly Power with the administration of a British Colony?

Mr. EDEN

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will read my answer he will see that the Italian Government have denied that the declaration was made and His Majesty's Government, of course, accept that denial.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Has the Under-Secretary any information as to the people who were present on this occa- sion and particularly was the gentleman who rejoices in the name of Mifsud present?

Mr. EDEN

Those who were present were, I understand, Italians and not Maltese.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Were there Maltese present?

Sir ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUEL

In view of the fact that it is admitted that the lecture was given, will the Under-Secretary draw the attention of the Italian Government to the fact that it was incidents of this sort that caused all the trouble in Malta?

Mr. EDEN

The Italian Government took action without waiting for representations and made a statement. Therefore, there is nothing more to say.