HC Deb 26 February 1963 vol 672 cc1060-1
6. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now make a statement on the reply he has sent to the petition of the Malta Labour Party against the Broadcasting Ordinance in Malta.

Mr. Fisher

My right hon. Friend has asked the Governor to inform Mr. Mintoff that he cannot agree to his proposals and that, if he wishes to secure amendment of the Ordinance, his proper course is to introduce a Motion in the Legislative Assembly.

Mrs. Castle

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his reply is quite unsatisfactory? Is it not a fact that the provision in the Ordinance preventing broadcasts which offend against religious sentiment is drawn so wide that it is used to censor political comments by the Maltese Labour Party which in no way violate the Constitution? As, under Section 121 of the Blood Constitution, Her Majesty's Government in Council may repeal or amend any part of it, will not the hon. Gentleman take advantage of that section and thus restore true democratic rights to the Maltese Labour Party?

Mr. Fisher

I think that the hon. Lady is under a misapprehension. We did not reserve power to amend the Ordinance but only to prevent undesirable amendments to it. In other words, we have a negative and not a positive power. To resume the power of amendment at the present stage of Malta's development, even if there were thought to be a good case for doing so, would be a retrograde step which would be deeply resented by Dr. Borg Olivier and his Government, especially at a time when Malta is approaching independence.

Mrs. Castle

Is not it a fact that it is a hopeless proposition for Mr. Mintoff to try to get this unfair Ordinance amended in the Legislative Council, because the Ordinance is being used to the advantage of the majority party there, which will certainly not extend democratic rights to the Maltese Labour Party?

Mr. Fisher

That is not correct. Mr. Mintoff was offered his share of broadcasting time, exactly the same amount as was offered to Dr. Borg Olivier's party. There was complete parity of time allotted. But Mr. Mintoff wanted to attack the Church and this the Ordinance does not permit. He therefore refused to take part in any further discussion and would not take up the time offered to him.

Back to