Stolper Report (Hansard, 10 December 1963)

§ 16. Mr. Awbery
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what negotiations have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the Maltese Government regarding the preparation of plans which will ensure the financial end economic rehabilitation 191 and stability of the island after it has received its independence; when a conference on the subject will take place; and when the Stolper Report on this subject will be published.

§ Mr. Fisher
The publication of the Stolper Reportis a matter for the United Nations in consultation with the Malta Government. On the remainder of the Question, I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall) on 26th November.

§ Mr. Awbery
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the amount of money to be contributed by this country towards the rehabilitation of Malta is determined, not by the United Nations organisation or by the Maltese Government, but by this Government? He should tell us exactly what he intends to do. The economic position in Malta is due entirely to the action of this Government in withdrawing our men from the naval base. Will the hon. Gentleman do something now in the rehabilitation of Malta?

§ Mr. Fisher
The Malta Government are, I understand, bringing forward proposals in the next few weeks based on the Stolper Report, a highly technical study. We are perfectly ready to discuss all the financial arrangements as soon as they do so.

§ Mr. Awbery
Will we in this House see the Stolper Report? Will it be placed in the Library? That report arises out of U.N.E.S.C.O., not out of this Government. How are we to get the Stolper Report? The hon. Gentleman tells us that it will be 25 years before Malta is rehabilitated and that this Government will contribute £2 million a year during that period. We should like to know something about that.

§ Mr. Fisher
My right hon. Friend has stated before in this House that our intention is that Malta will not be cut off on attaining independence. It will not be either better or worse off as a result of independence. We will look at the Stolper Report and Dr. Borg Olivier's proposals on their merits; and we shall be generous.