§ 3. Mr. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he authorised a note to be circulated to spectators at the Queen's birthday parade in Malta instructing them not to salute during the playing of the Maltese anthem.
§ Mr. LytteltonThe note did not, of course, require any authority from me. Nor was it sought. I understand that this particular instruction was included in error and was removed from a revised set of instructions issued two days before the parade took place.
§ Mr. de FreitasWill the Secretary of State, in co-operation with the Secretary of State for War, do all he can to see that in future on ceremonial occasions in Malta greater respect is paid to the Maltese anthem, because many Maltese loyal to the Queen were deeply offended by this note?
§ Mr. LytteltonThe note was really intended for the military and was circulated by mistake to civilians. It is the custom for civilians to take off their hats when the Maltese hymn or the National Anthem is played, but it is a well-established ceremonial that troops stand to attention during the playing of the Maltese hymn and present arms during the playing of the National Anthem.