20. Miss Wardasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction on all sides at the failure of the MacLeod Report to recommend the establishment of some form of negotiating machinery even if the 1406 setting up on the identical British system of Whitley industrial councils or committees at once is not a practical proposition; and whether he will now renounce this lack of industrial leadership for Malta as being mistaken policy.
§ Mr. Emrys-EvansThere is negotiating machinery already in Malta in relation to some classes of the employees of the Government of Malta and the Service Departments with which alone the Macleod Report is concerned. My right hon. and gallant Friend is aware that dissatisfaction has been expressed by the employees with the view taken by Mr. Macleod in his report that the time has not yet come to extend such machinery in Malta to other classes. This subject is still under consideration by the various authorities concerned and it is not yet possible for any conclusion to be reached.
Miss WardDoes my hon. Friend realise that dissatisfaction is not confined to employees; and will he take the initiative of asking for a full report on the opinion of all sections of the community in Malta?
§ Mr. Emrys-EvansAs my hon. Friend will see, from my reply, the matter is now under consideration.
Miss WardWill my hon. Friend continue to press for a full report as to everybody's opinion; and will he at once take the initiative? May I have an answer?
Mr. W. J. BrawnDoes the Minister realise that one of the most prolific causes of discontent among the Government staff in Malta, is the failure of the Administration to take them into active partnership as in done in this country; and will he not insist, if necessary, on overriding some of the deadheads in Malta?
§ Mr. Emrys-EvansAs I said in my reply, this matter is under very careful consideration by my right hon. and gallant Friend, and I will bring the views of the House to his notice.