HC Deb 28 July 1955 vol 544 cc1351-2
The Prime Minister

I will now answer Questions Nos. 47 and 48. The Round Table Conference on Malta will consist of the following:

My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor, who will be chairman, and the noble Lord the Earl of Perth, and from this side of this House my right hon. Friends the Members for Kelvingrove (Mr. Elliot) and Renfrew, West (Mr. Maclay), my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Kensington, South (Sir P. Spens), and my hon. Friends the Members for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Aitken), Preston, North (Mr. J. Amery), Carlton (Mr. Pickthorn) and Bridlington (Mr. Wood).

The right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition will himself be a member and in addition he has nominated the noble Lord the Earl of Listowel and the right hon. Gentlemen the Members for Ebbw Vale (Mr. Bevan), South Shields (Mr. Ede) and Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths); and the hon. Members for Coventry, East (Mr. Crossman) and Sowerby (Mr. Houghton).

The right hon. and learned Gentleman the Member for Montgomery (Mr. C. Davies) will represent the Liberal Party.

The terms of reference of the Conference will be as follows: To consider constitutional and related questions arising from proposals for closer associa- tion between Malta and the United Kingdom and, in particular, from the proposal that Malta should in future be represented in the Parliament at Westminster. To consult representatives of the political parties in the Legislative Assembly of Malta, and such other persons as may seem fit to them. To report their conclusions and recommendations. Our proposal is that the Conference should begin work on 19th September.

The House will understand that no decision will be taken upon these issues until Parliament re-assembles.

Mrs. White

As I understand that the Government in Malta have promised to submit any agreement, if one is reached, to a referendum, would the Prime Minister agree that it would be desirable to await the results of that referendum before reaching a decision in this matter?

The Prime Minister

As I think that it would be one of the matters on which I should like to have the advice of this Committee as to whether we do that first or whether we make our provisional approval subject to referendum, I do not think I should like to pronounce on it without that advice.

Mr. Teeling

Can my right hon. Friend say whether this conference will take place in public or in private? If it is to be in private, will there be any means whereby ordinary Members of Parliament can possibly be present?

The Prime Minister

It would, of course, be for the Conference itself to decide. I do not think that I should say what it should do.