§ 68. Mr. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on his latest conversations with the Prime Minister of Malta.
§ 70. Major Wallasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now make a statement about his talks with the Prime Minister of Malta.
§ Mr. ProfumoConsiderable progress has been made in talks between the Maltese Government and Her Majesty's Government. They have agreed to continue discussions in September with a view to completing detailed plans for integration.
There have also been discussions on discharges from Services' employment during the current year. Her Majesty's Government have reluctantly come to the conclusion that the Services cannot avoid certain dismissals now, although one or two schemes have been found for new work and the Services will do all they can to find new avenues of employment for some of the discharged personnel. The Maltese Government have secured the release of certain funds due to them which they will use up to the end of the year to provide work for those out of employment. Both Her Majesty's Government and the Maltese Government will collaborate as closely as possible on this problem in order that undue hardship in Malta may be avoided.
Final decisions have not yet been reached on long-term defence plans in relation to Malta and it has been agreed that before any final decisions are taken there will be discussions between the two Governments.
§ Mr. TeelingHas my hon. Friend seen a report of a speech made yesterday by Dr. Borg Olivier, Leader of the Opposi- 598 tion in Malta, in which he said that the terribly long-drawn-out negotiations over integration are really hurting the unity of Malta in regard to the problem of unemployment, which my hon. Friend has just mentioned? Can he say something in more detail about the integration question before the House rises?
§ Mr. ProfumoNo, Sir, but I hope that the statement I have made will be encouraging to all concerned.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIn considering the effects on Malta of our defence cuts, will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the contribution Malta has made to the defence of this island and be very generous to Malta? Will he appreciate that hon. Members on both sides of the House who were privileged to take part in the Round Table Conference will expect and hope that Her Majesty's Government will be equally generous in this matter?
§ Mr. ProfumoI fully appreciate the viewpoint of the right hon. Member. I do not think I can give any undertaking, but I hope he will take it from me that all these matters are being, and will continue to be, looked at in a very sympathetic manner.