25. Commander Bowerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement regarding the future constitutional development of Malta?
§ Colonel StanleyWith the permission of Mr. Speaker and the hon. and gallant Member, I propose to make a statement at the end of Questions.
§ Later—
§ Colonel StanleyHis Majesty's Government have had under consideration certain representations which have been made by the Elected Members of the Council of Government in Malta, who have asked for an announcement regarding their intentions in relation to further constitutional development. Since the present Constitution of Malta was inaugurated in 1939 the fortress has successfully withstood a siege of two and a half years. During the siege the island was subjected to heavy and sustained attacks from the air and to a food shortage of increasing gravity. By their steadfastness and fortitude under the severe hardships thus occasioned the people of Malta, together with its gallant garrison, rendered services of incalculable value to the Allied cause. His Majesty's Government have noted with particular satisfaction that throughout the whole of this period the Council of Government continued to discharge its normal functions in relation to legislation and the discussion of public affairs.
For more than 10 years, between 1921 and 1933, the people of Malta enjoyed full legislative and administrative responsibility under the Crown in the conduct of their internal affairs, the control of Naval and Military Services and of all matters appertaining to the position of Malta as an Imperial fortress, or otherwise affecting Imperial interests or policy, being reserved to the Imperial Government. It is the policy of His Majesty's Government that responsible government in the same sphere should again be granted to Malta after the war.
It will not be possible while the war continues for His Majesty's Government to undertake a detailed examination of the various constitutional, financial and administrative questions which must be resolved before responsible government can be introduced, nor can some of these 2077 questions, in particular those which arise in connection with finance, be defined until the Malta Government are able to visualise more clearly the extent and the cost of the plans for reconstruction and development with which they will be faced after the war. But it is the intention of His Majesty's Government, as soon as hostilities are brought to an end, that these matters should be pursued without delay, and that steps should be taken to consult responsible opinion in Malta with a view to giving expression as far as possible to the wishes of the Maltese people regarding the form which the new Constitution might take.
Commander BowerWhile the Government's proposals, when they emerge, will require very careful examination in view of the past history of self-government in Malta, will my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind that the Maltese people as a whole will be most grateful for this great step forward, which, I am sure the House will agree, they have earned by their splendid conduct, not for the first time in their history, in withstanding a rigorous siege? I am sure the Maltese people will be delighted with the Minister's statement.
§ Mr. W. BrownPending the happy day when we give the Maltese a better Constitution than they now have, will the Government encourage the Maltese by seeing that Government establishments in Malta pay Maltese civil servants the same rate as English civil servants and not about half the rate?