General Election

HC Deb 10 July 1962 vol 662 cc1119-21

3. Mr. Awbery

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the result of the further inquiries he has made into the allegations of irregularities and intimidation during the recent general election in Malta; what steps he pro- poses to take to ensure free expression of opinion in future elections; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. H. Fraser

As regards the recent elections, I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member on 13th March.

Future election arrangements will be the responsibility of the Government of Malta.

Mr. Awbery

Further discussions have taken place since then and irregularities have been pointed out. People from Malta have declared that irregularities have taken place in their presence. If he cannot do anything about declaring the last election invalid, will the hon. Gentleman take serious steps to prevent a repetition of this sort of thing when the next elections take place?

Mr. Fraser

All these matters can come before courts, but no one has yet used the court procedure to say that any of the elections were in any way invalid.

Mr. Awbery

I want the Minister to hold an inquiry.

Mr. Healey

I know that this is a difficult matter, but I have here several affidavits from Maltese citizens who declare that they were refused absolution or were told that it would be a mortal sin to vote far the Opposition party in the elections. Does not this situation call for Government action under the provisions of the Constitution preventing spiritual intimidation?

Mr. Fraser

I think that a great many of these points could not be pressed because they could have been taken up in a court of law under the electoral ordinance but this has not been done. There has on both sides been a good deal of talk of intimidation, and we have had to abide by what is brought before the courts. The matter will be brought to the attention of the present Malta Government.

Sir P. Agnew

Will my hon. Friend agree that, as regards the fairness or otherwise of the Malta elections, there is no real evidence that the suggestions that they were unfair are anything but ill founded, but will he encourage the Government of Malta to modernise the franchise and the arrangements at the polling booths so that some of the scenes where, for instance, electors were delayed during the recent elections before they could record their votes are not repeated, and the whole procedure is brought more into line with practice in a modern State?

Mr. Fraser

As I have explained, future election arrangements must be the responsibility of the Government of Malta, but I am sure that these points will be drawn to the Government's attention.