§ 25. Major Wallasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by what authority a person has recently been charged in Malta with making derogatory remarks about the Prime Minister of Malta.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI understand that the prosecution was instituted by the Maltese Commissioner of Police under Section 265 of the Maltese Criminal Code, on the report of a private individual and not at the instance of the Maltese Prime Minister.
§ Major WallI should be the last to support derogatory remarks about any Prime Minister or Leader of the Opposition, but is not the hallmark of democracy that the private individual has the right to criticise his political leaders, provided he keeps within the law of libel? If he is free to do that in England, why is he not allowed to do so in Malta?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIt is not for me to comment on the Maltese law or its working, but it may well be that integration will bring mutual benefits to all of us in other fields.
§ Mr. ShinwellMight we know what this person said about the Prime Minister? Perhaps we might then use similar language about the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAs the remark contained the suggestion that the Prime Minister was very short, the right hon. 1439 Gentleman the Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell) can hardly apply it to me.
§ Mr. TeelingBut is not the Prime Minister of Malta also the Minister of Police?