§ 29. Lieut.-Colonel Mackesonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the service which the people of Malta have rendered to the United Nations, he will arrange for the cancellation of the ordinance under which the Maltese people are the only subjects of the Crown still called upon to pay war-damage contributions.
Mr. Creech JonesThe legislation in Malta providing for schemes of compensation for war damage follows closely the lines of the similar legislation in the United Kingdom, and I see no grounds for cancelling the balance of contributions due under it, the payment of which ex tends over the same period as contributions in this country. In accordance with the proposal submitted to the House by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 10th November, 1942, Parliament have already made clear their appreciation of the services of the people of Malta by voting a free gift of £10 million for meeting liabilities under the legislation and for other expenses incidental to the rebuilding of the Island.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MackesonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many people in Malta feel that this money should be found by Italy, and will he give consideration to this very reasonable proposal?
Mr. Creech JonesA very substantial contribution has been made already, and there is no reason to depart from the existing arrangements so far as war damage is concerned.