Constitution

HC Deb 08 May 1957 vol 569 cc965-8

23. Major Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in view of the Prime Minister of Malta's speech on 1st May, he will make a further statement regarding future constitutional relations with Malta.

27. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the present position of the negotiations with the Government of Malta regarding the conditions of the integration of Malta with the United Kingdom.

38. Mr. Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the public official statement made in Malta by Mr. Mintoff on May Day, he will now make a statement on the negotiations for integration and especially on the question of grants for education in Malta.

50. Mr. Owen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what issues are holding up the entry of Malta as a unit of British Parliamentary Government; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The two Governments have so far been unable to reach agreement on the principles governing the economic arrangements under the integration proposal, but exchanges of views between them are continuing. I am not able meanwhile to make any further statement.

Major Wall

Can my right hon. Friend say whether agreement has been reached between Her Majesty's Government and th Vatican in regard to religious minorities?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

No formal agreement has yet been reached, but I do not believe it will prove difficult to do so when the time seems opportune.

Mr. Brockway

Is it not the case that the financial agreement between the Governments of the United Kingdom and Malta for this year assumes increased employment rather than decreased employment? In view of that, ought not some discussions to have taken place with the Maltese Government about dismissals and plans for alternative employment? Is it not the case that under the arrangement the Maltese will have to pay as high taxes as people in this country? Would it not be fair that the social services and education for the Maltese people should be equally high?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

In regard to the second part of that supplementary question, I cannot answer in anticipation of the general statement I shall make when, as I hope, agreement is reached. With reference to redundancy in the dockyard and elsewhere, that is another matter. Her Majesty's Government are conscious of the spirit behind the June, 1955, declaration, which exists whether or not integration proposals come forward.

Mr. Teeling

Is there not disquiet because most of the information about what we are discussing with Malta comes from Mr. Mintoff? Is it not possible for my right hon. Friend to be a little more forthcoming? Is he aware that in The Times today we are told that the Archbishop of Malta has been in touch with the Vatican and the Vatican is in touch with the right hon. Gentleman? Does that not make it slightly untrue to say— as my right hon. Friend said in his Answer to me last week, now contradicted by the Archbishop of Malta— that there are no discussions going on with the Archbishop, since my right hon. Friend knows full well that the Archbishop and the Vatican are working together in this matter?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

No, Sir; my hon. Friend will. I hope, on reflection, not repeat the statement that I said something to him last week which was not true. I said that there had not been discussions between the Archbishop and myself or the Archbishop and Her Majesty's Government. That is absolutely true and there is no reason to doubt what I said. When the time is opportune there will, of course, be discussions with the Metropolitan Archbishop of Malta, whose high standing in the island is well known and well deserved. In regard to the other suggestion of my hon. Friend, the usual charge is that information coming out of Malta comes mostly from Opposition sources. It is not my practice to make comments in the middle of negotiations.

Mr. Callaghan

Is it not the case that the public speeches of Mr. Mintoff which have been reported have indicated only that he thought integration was still the most desirable solution and that negotiations should be pursued to that end? I do not wish to press the right hon. Gentleman on this, but is the present position that the Government now propose to communicate some proposals to Malta for further consideration?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I should prefer not to interpret speeches made by Prime Ministers in other parts of the Commonwealth. I have quite enough to do in making my own speeches and answering the misinterpretations to which they sometimes give rise. As to the other part of the Question, the Government are proposing to send their views to the Maltese Government very shortly.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are some sections in the country who believe that if Mr. Mintoff's brash demands are carried too far it may become economically and politically advisable to base the Mediterranean Fleet in this country, as can be seen is possible from the recent activities of the American Sixth Fleet?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

As I frequently, and I hope successfully, point out to Mr. Mintoff, I have my political difficulties as well.