§ 20. Mr. Croninasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he has taken this year to restore to Malta an elected Legislature with a Government responsible to it.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) on 28th April.
§ Mr. CroninIt is appreciated that the Secretary of State is faced with considerable difficulties, but is he aware that 1243 these difficulties are becoming an increasingly less valid excuse for depriving Malta of the responsibility of self-government? Is he also aware that on this side of the House there is considerable impatience at the replies he has been giving to Questions of this kind?
§ Mr. MacleodI have no intention of stalling on this matter. I have said that I should like to move forward in this, but one of the great difficulties is the complete divergence of views among the Maltese political parties and leaders themselves about what should happen. If they would come a little more closely together in their views we might be able to get on more quickly.
§ Mr. CroninDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the difference in the manner of negotiating in the Mediterranean and in this country, and will he make allowances accordingly?