§ 17. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the conclusions reached in the discussions with the Prime Minister of Malta regarding the integration of the Colony with the United Kingdom, the maintenance of employment, the provision of social services, and the progressive advance of the standard of life.
§ 20. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about his discussions with the Prime Minister of Malta.
§ 25. Mrs. L. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the constitutional future of Malta.
§ 31. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a statement upon his talks with the Prime Minister of Malta.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAs my discussions with the Prime Minister of Malta are not concluded, I am not yet able to make a statement.
§ Mr. BrockwayWhile not pressing the Minister to make a statement now, may I ask him whether he is aware that many of us are tremendously conscious of the service which the people of Malta have given to this country? Further, is he aware that our desire is that in these negotiations there shall be generosity—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—yes, generosity—so that, after having been used for military purposes, they shall not be thrown on the scrap heap because of new defence arrangements?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNo such ludicrous development was ever contemplated.
§ Mr. WallIs my right hon. Friend aware that he will have the sympathetic support of hon. Members on this side of this side of the House in these difficult negotiations which he is now conducting? Would not the alternative of independence, which is referred to in some quarters, be economic suicide for the people of Malta, and gravely endanger the good will in this country for Malta and the good will in Malta for this country?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydA great many people would agree with my hon. Friend.
§ Mrs. L. JegerCan the Colonial Secretary at least say that so far as he is concerned the policy of integration which the whole House approves is still the basis of Her Majesty's Government's approach to the government of Malta?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI answered a Question on that a few weeks ago, and I have nothing to add today.
§ Mr. CallaghanRegarding the financial aspects of this matter, will the Colonial Secretary bear in mind that as we are maintaining our Estimates here at their current level, it would ill attune were any drastic cuts suggested in the grants made by the Government to the 1409 people of Malta during this financial year?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe important thing is the amount of money which should be available, and I think that other sources than Her Majesty's Government ought to play their part in helping over that.
§ Sir G. NicholsonCan my right hon. Friend say what is the next stage, whether negotiations will be resumed, and so on?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThey have not stopped.