43. Lieut. - Colonel Sir ARNOLD WILSONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the cost of living and the amount of unemployment in Malta has risen since last August and, if so, by how much; and whether any part of the additional civil expenditure entailed on the Governor and municipalities of Malta by recent events is being borne by these authorities or whether the whole cost will be borne by the British Government?
Under SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. J. H. Thomas)The cost of living has risen by about 10 per cent. There has been some unemployment caused mainly by the absence of the Fleet, but no figures are available. Practically the whole of the expenditure referred to in the second part of the question will be borne by the British Government.