§ 32. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a further statement about constitutional developments in Malta.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWhen Ministers resigned and the Assembly was dissolved, it was apparent that the Governor might at any moment require powers to enable him to carry on the administration of the islands. Hitherto he had exercised certain powers as Governor-in-Council. With the resignation of Ministers it would be necessary to vest in himself certain powers previously vested in the Governor-in-Council or Maltese Ministers. In addition, the Governor advised me on 30th April that the threat to public safety and order could not be contained by the police without certain powers not conferred by existing Maltese law. Provision for emergency powers is contained in the Malta (Emergency Powers) Order-in-Council, 1953, made under Section 59 of the Malta Constitution Letters Patent. In the light of the advice I received from the Governor, I gave him notice, under Section 3 (1) of the 1953 Order-in-Council, that a public emergency existed. He issued a proclamation to that effect on 30th April.
§ Mr. WallCan my right hon. Friend give the House any idea how long those emergency powers are likely to last, and when we may expect a general election to be held? Further, would not he agree that, largely due to the appeals of the Governor and the Archbishop and to the exemplary discipline of the police, the situation in Malta is considerably better than some of us might have expected?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydYes, Sir. I certainly endorse the last part of the question. I cannot enlighten the House further on the other two points.