§ 32. Mr. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply he has received from the Governor of Malta to his letter concerning the former Chairman of the Malta Tourist Board and the expenditure of the monies allocated for the Tourist Board.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe amount allocated for capital expenditure on tourist development over the five years ending in 1963–64 is £545,000. Expenditure in the first two years was £183,245. Recurrent expenditure borne on the Malta Budget was £168,681 in the same period. No action by Her Majesty's Government appears to arise from the reports referred to.
§ Mr. TeelingMy right hon friend has said nothing about the former Chairman of the Tourist Board, although I asked him about that matter. Why was it that the members of the Board felt that the scandal of his departure was such that they wished to resign en masse, while the Governor asked them not to?
§ Mr. MacleodAll expenditure was approved by the Board. It seems clear that there was no misuse of public funds. These reports are, in the first instance, for consideration by the Governor of Malta.
§ Mr. StonehouseIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is very strong feeling in Malta about the use of these funds, and a general wish that there should be an independent inquiry into the activities of the Board? Will he look at this again?
§ Mr. MacleodI was not aware of any strong feeling in Malta to that effect, but I have noted what the hon. Member has said and will bring it to the Governor's attention.
§ Mr. TeelingOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the rather unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the adjournment at the earliest opportunity.