§ 12. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can announce the decision of His Majesty's Government with regard to the recommendation of the Malta Royal Commission?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERHis Majesty's Government have given very careful consideration to the report of the Malta Royal Commission and, subject to the statement I shall make on two matters, have decided to give effect to all the proposals which are set out by the Royal Commission in Chapter XIV of the report under the title "Summary of Suggestions and of Main Recommendation." The Constitution will be restored to the Island in accordance with the commission's main recommendation, and steps will be taken to give effect to the various other proposals in the appropriate way by local Ordinance, by Letters Patent and by a Bill which will be introduced in the Imperial Parliament. The Ordinances and Letters Patent will be issued, and will take effect as soon as possible, while the Bill to give effect to those proposals which involve legislation in the Imperial Parliament will be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time permits.
There is one particular matter arising out of the report, upon which it is necessary for me to make a somewhat detailed statement. The House will have observed that on the question of language the majority of the Commissioners have expressed strongly the view that in the interests of the Maltese and of education in Malta a change should be made in the curriculum of the elementary 1090 schools in order to make English the only extra language to be taught in addition to the Maltese vernacular. At present in the higher standards of the elementary schools both English and Italian are taught on an equal footing, and the resultant loss of educational efficiency is 'strongly commented upon by the majority of the Commissioners. The arguments advanced in support of the change have received the careful consideration of His Majesty's Government, and appear to them to be unanswerable. The Government have accordingly decided to put this proposal into effect forthwith in common with the other proposals relating to language contained in the report.
There is one further point upon which His Majesty's Government have decided to depart from the actual terms of the recommendations contained in the report. Among their recommendations with regard to the Judiciary, the Commission suggest that judicial appointments should not in future be confined to Maltese. While accepting the other proposals of the Commissioners as regards the Judges, His Majesty's Government have decided that in all the circumstances this particular proposal should not be adopted.
I feel sure that I shall be expressing the sense of the House if, in conclusion, I pay tribute to the manner in which the Royal Commissioners have discharged a difficult and onerous task.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his very full reply, can he give us any idea when the election will take place? Will it be before or subsequent to the passing of the Bill referred to?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThat will not depend upon how soon the Bill can be got through Parliament. The election will take place as soon as possible. A certain amount of time must elapse to allow for the making of the necessary Ordinance and bringing the electoral register up-to-date, but there will be no unnecessary delay and the election will be held as soon as it is practically possible to do so.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODDid the right hon. Gentleman say that there would be some proceedings by Bill in this House?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThis is a rather complicated subject. Certain matters require to be dealt with by a Bill in this Rouse, and those matters will be dealt with by legislation in the Imperial Parliament. Others matters, including the election and languages, will be dealt with by Letters Patent and by ordinance, and, wherever matters can be dealt with by Letters Patent and by ordinance, those methods will be adopted.
§ Mr. HANNONDoes that mean that at both the elementary and secondary schools in Malta English will be taught as a compulsory subject?
§ Sir. P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERAs regards elementary schools, yes, certainly. As regards secondary schools, no alteration has been made. I am not quite sure what the practice is in the secondary schools. I think English is compulsory, but I should like notice of that question.
Captain HOPEDo I understand from the original answer that the Ministers, headed by Lord Strickland, are still in control of the Island?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe Ministers, so-called, have never been in executive control at all, and that is rather an anomalous title to apply to them. They have been retained temporarily in an advisory capacity. They do not hold any executive positions at all. My hon. and gallant Friend will see the recommendations of the Royal Commission, and that those recommendations have been adopted.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODDid the Minister say that the commission had reported in favour of only two languages, English and Maltese, being taught in the elementary schools, and have they dropped Italian?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThat is quite correct.
§ Lieut.-Commander BOWERIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the Ministers can be legally removed from their positions?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERYes, absolutely satisfied.