General Election (Hansard, 19 December 1961)

§ 5. Mr. Awbery
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that all the political parties in Malta, including those that gave evidence to the Blood Commission, have now indicated their opposition to the new Constitution, and that this may lead to a partial or a complete boycott of the General Election in February; and if he will take steps to meet the representatives of the main parties with a view to arriving at a mutual understanding before the election.

§ Mr. Maudling
I would refer the hon. Member to the Reply I gave him on 23rd November, to which I have nothing to add.

§ Mr. Awbery
I am well aware of the reply that was given on a previous occasion. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the position is getting very serious and that the General Election is to take place in February and it is far better to get the co-operation of political parties in Malta before the election takes place than to have them boycott it? 1107 Will he make another approach with a view to avoiding the possibility of a boycott?

§ Mr. Maudling
No, Sir. As I understand, both the Progressive Constitutional Party and the Nationalist Party have said that they will contest the General Election and the only major party that has not yet committed itself is the Malta Labour Party.

§ Mr. Healey
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is grave misgiving in the major parties in Malta about participation in the election as long as Her Majesty's Government fail to make clear whether or not they would favour an ultimate move towards self-determination? Cannot Her Majesty's Government give the Maltese people some assurance on this point before the election campaign goes further?

§ Mr. Maudling
We have made it clear that we do not regard this present stage of development in Malta as the final stage, but I see no reason why we should go beyond that to enable parties to take part in the election. I hope that they will take part.

§ Sir P. Agnew
Would it not be best if the political parties exercise such democratic rights as the new Constitution will give them as the best way of extending their position and advancing it if possible towards a later Constitution when they can qualify for it?

§ Mr. Maudling
Yes, Sir. I am sure that that is the right way to proceed.

§ 21. Mr. Driberg
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received any indication that the major political parties in Malta are willing to take part in the election proposed to be held in February; by what date he will have to be informed of their willingness to take part, if this election is to be held at all; and what preparations he is making to ensure that it can be conducted fairly.

§ Mr. Maudling
No, Sir. No party need make known its intention of contesting the elections until nomination of candidates is called for. The writ for elections has not yet been issued. I am satisfied that the arrangements made under the electoral legislation will ensure fair conduct of the elections.

§ Mr. Driberg
Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that he is much more likely to get the participation of all parties, which, presumably, he wants, in order to ensure a representative result, if he would only make a positive affirmation on the right of the Maltese people to self-determination, while reserving the timing of it until after the election, instead of merely repeating the negative and vague formula which he has repeated again today? Will he seriously consider this, and also the possibility of ensuring fair elections, which are by no means sure, by sending out a supervisory commission or something of that kind?

§ Mr. Maudling
On the first point, I can only repeat what I said in reply to an earlier supplementary question. I do not see why our present position on further constitutional developments should inhibit any party from contesting the election under the new Constitution, which is a considerable advance on what has gone before. I have discussed very closely with the Governor the arrangements for ensuring fair elections. I am concerned about this, but I think that in practice the arrangements will work well.

§ Mr. Teeling
My right hon. Friend is asking for fifty candidates from each party. Does not he feel that that will be far more than most of them can provide, and is not that, possibly, a reason why they cannot make up their minds?

§ Mr. Maudling
This is a point which has been raised. I understand there is no local government at the moment in Malta, and it is therefore necessary to have a fairly large body in the Legislature itself.

§ Mr. Healey
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there have already been some instances of violence in the pre-election period, and that the line being taken by the Roman Catholic hierarchy on the island is one which we in this country would certainly regard as illicit interference with the freedom of the elections? In view of this fact, and the strong feelings about it in many sections of the Maltese population, will the right hon. Gentleman seriously consider sending out some sort of official mission to observe the election during the next two months, so that justice can not only be 1109 done but can be seen to be done by all concerned?

§ Mr. Maudling
If the hon. Member has evidence of this type of activity which is likely to lead to unfairness in the elections, I should be grateful if he will send it to me, and I will consider it.