§ 25. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the present application in Malta of the Public Meetings Ordinance, 1931, is discriminatory and causes dissatisfaction; and if he will now take steps to ameliorate the application, administration and enforcement of this ordinance.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI do not accept that the Public Meetings Ordinance, 1931, is discriminatory.
§ Mr. HughesWill the right hon. Gentleman accept anyhow that an important contribution to the peace problem and constitutional development of Malta, as elsewhere, is the full and free expression of public opinion by means of public meetings and otherwise, and does he realise that that is not occurring in Malta at the present time? Will he, therefore, take the constructive steps adumbrated in my Question with a view to seeing that there is a free and full expression of public opinion in Malta?
§ Mr. MacleodI would certainly accept the generalities in the first part of the hon. and learned Gentleman's supplementary question. As regards the practical application of this Order, which has been in existence for a very long time, very few requests indeed are refused, and these are, of course, most carefully considered.