Situation

HC Deb 23 January 1958 vol 580 cc1243-6

33. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the discussions with the Government of Malta regarding the integration of the Colony with Great Britain and the guarantee of employment to the dockyard workers.

37. Mr. P. Williams

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on his discussions over the future of Malta.

61. Mrs. L. Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he anticipates bringing legislation before the House to change the constitutional position of Malta.

70. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the recent resolution of the Maltese Parliament in certain circumstances to sever all ties with Great Britain has now been fully withdrawn; and to what extent this resolution has affected the proposals for the integration of the two countries.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

When Mr. Mintoff left London in November, there were certain points outstanding in our discussions on the future Constitution, on which I subsequently wrote to him. He had then been informed that no decision had been taken about the future of the Admiralty dockyard in Malta. Despite assurances which I sent him on 29th November about maintaining the level of activity in the dockyard for the next three years, Mr. Mintoff persisted in demanding a guarantee, which Her Majesty's Government had already made clear they could not give, that any redundancy in Services' employment must immediately be met by provision of an alternative job.

On 30th December, Mr. Mintoff tabled a Motion in the Maltese Legislative Assembly denouncing obligations assumed on behalf of Malta towards Britain and her allies until such a guarantee were given. This Resolution was passed unanimously and has not been rescinded. The House will, however, see from the subsequent exchange of published messages between Mr. Mintoff and myself, copies of which I am placing in the Library, that the Maltese Government now consider that the situation "does not call for the implementation of the Resolution".

I am now in private correspondence with Mr. Mintoff about the other points made in his last published message. I have not yet had his reply to my letter on outstanding constitutional points. Meanwhile, I am not in a position to forecast the introduction of legislation.

Mr. Brockway

Is not the present situation due to long procrastination in negotiations between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Malta? Is it not the case that many months ago the principle of integration was endorsed, including promises which would cover work and the conditions of labour? Will not the right hon. Gentlemen speed a conclusion to these long-delayed negotiations so that we may welcome members from Malta in this House?

Hon. Members

No.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The hon. Gentleman would do well to read the correspondence I am placing in the Library. In regard to the first and second parts of his supplementary question, if he really believes that—in the famous words—he would believe anything.

Mr. Pickthorn

Has it been explained to Mr. Mintoff that, so long as the resolution is on the record, the word "integration" is wholly irrelevant to the Maltese affair?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

It has, I think, been made perfectly clear that the presence of this resolution on the order paper and its failure to be rescinded do not—to put it mildly—help the cause of integration.

Mr. Paget

Was it not a little refreshing to find that a Colony actually wanted to get closer—

Mr. Pickthorn

It actually does not.

Mr. Paget

—and is it not rather sad that the opportunity has been frittered away over financial terms much more trivial than £50 million?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I do not believe that the hon. and learned Member for Northampton (Mr. Paget) would be right in saying that there has been a lack of imagination or drive on the part of Her Majesty's Government in their dealings with Malta over the last two years. But the continued poising in the air, so to speak, of this resolution of 30th December leads me to the conclusion that, perhaps, the full implications of integration have not been wholly understood, as yet, by the Maltese Government and people.

Mr. Williams

While agreeing with my right hon. Friend that the resolution passed by the Malta Parliament was one of the most irresponsible which could possibly be passed in relation to the issue of integration. I should like to ask him to say a little more about the possible use of the dockyard in Malta by civilian companies.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

We are very keen indeed to ensure that, and active steps are being taken, of which the Prime Minister of Malta is being kept fully informed.

Mr. Callaghan

When the question of integration is being considered, will the Colonial Secretary ask some of his hon. Friends to reflect upon the consequences of the alternative to integration before they make up their minds?

Hon. Members

What are they?

Mr. Callaghan

Hon. Gentlemen should think them out. Perhaps they will not be so pleasant.

Will the Colonial Secretary now really try to bring these negotiations, especially on the financial side, to a speedy conclusion? Are not two years long enough for the matter to be held up?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I have never disguised my belief that the policy of integration is the best for Malta and, in the long run, for the United Kingdom. I therefore deplore actions which prejudice the successful accomplishment of this aim. In regard to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary, there has been no delay on the part of Her Majesty's Government. I am at all times ready to discuss, when appropriate, outstanding matters, but I cannot accept the obligation that Her Majesty's Government should re-employ—man for man—anyone who finds himself redundant as a result of defence cuts which will also seriously affect the United Kingdom.

Sir P. Agnew

Before making up his mind on the point and coming to a decision, will my right hon. Friend take note of the fact that there is a growing body of public opinion in this country, made aware of the integration scheme for the first time by recent events, which is utterly averse to people from a Mediterranean civilisation, however worthy they may be, taking part on equal terms in this House in the decisions of our Parliament?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

This matter was, of course, debated at length in the House some time ago, and there will be other opportunities for all hon. Gentlemen to make their own views clear. At the moment, all I can say is that the continued presence of that particular resolution hardly conduces to a favourable atmosphere.

Mr. Callaghan

Are we to assume from the last supplementary question that these islanders, who were good enough to be bombed during the war in order to provide a British base of which we were all glad to take considerable advantage, are not now good enough to share our suffrage?

Mrs. Jeger

In view of the fact that the Gracious Speech foreshadowed legislation during the current Session, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is his intention to bring forward legislation during the present Session? Further, does he think that it would help to get out of this impasse if he were once more to invite the Prime Minister to come to London and really try to sort out the present difficulties?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

We were certainly hoping that our negotiations would end in agreement, but the proposed time-table for publication of the White Paper on integration and the introduction of legislation may now, for obvious reasons, require revision.

Mr. Wall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is still a great fund of good will towards Malta in this country, but is it not also true that integration carries responsibilities as well as privileges? Will my right hon. Friend make that quite clear to the Prime Minister of Malta?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Yes, Sir. That is exactly what I have been trying to do—and in this House today.