HC Deb 24 October 1961 vol 646 cc721-2
19. Mr. Woodnutt

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are his intentions with regard to the future constitutional status of Malta.

23. Mr. Maginnis

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to announce the date of publication of the new Constitution for Malta and if he will give an assurance that no action will be taken to implement it until the House has had an opportunity to discuss it.

25. Miss Vickers

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the new Constitution for Malta will be ready for publication.

Mr. Maudling

I hope to submit a new Constitution for Malta, based on the recommendations of the Malta Constitutional Commission, 1960, to the Queen, in Council today for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure.

Mr. Woodnutt

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Bearing in mind that Sir Hilary Blood suggested that Malta should henceforth be the State of Malta and not the Colony of Malta, will my right hon. Friend tell me whether he intends to carry out that suggestion? If so, will he do it by Act of Parliament rather than Order in Council, because that is more permanent?

Mr. Maudling

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the publication of the new Constitution which will become available in a very short time.

Miss Vickers

May I ask whether there will be plenty of time given between the publication of the Constitution for Malta and the elections in order to give the people good time to study the matter and to know for what they are voting?

Mr. Maudling

I am not certain what "plenty of time" means in this context. I think that the time we have in mind should be quite adequate.