§ 11. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will introduce legislation to extend to Malta the operations of the Section of the Corrupt Practices Act which makes it an offence to inflict or threaten to inflict spiritual injury upon any person to compel him to vote or to refrain from voting in an election for membership of a public authority.
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Reginald Maudling)No, Sir. Provision already exists under Maltese electoral legislation making it an offence to inflict or threaten to inflict any material or moral injury for this purpose.
§ Mr. BrockwayIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of us who have great respect for the Roman Catholic Church and what it has done in Colonial Territories are saddened by the present position in Malta? Is it not a fact that the Catholic Church there is interdicting individuals because they are members of the Malta Labour Party; and are not people being refused absolution at confession because they are Labour voters? In the circumstances, do not the words from the Corrupt Practices Act which I have used in my Question apply to the present situation in Malta?
§ Mr. MaudlingNo, Sir; that is not my information. I have inquired into this important matter. I understand that there is no reason to believe that the Church in Malta has declared it a sin to vote for any of the political parties.