§ 26 and 27. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs (1) what progress has 221 been made in his negotiations with Baileys (Malta) Limited which have been going on for three years;
(2) what assurances he has given to the Malta Government about the future of the dockyard.
§ Mr. George ThomsonI am at the moment engaged in discussing this problem with the Malta Prime Minister. It would not be helpful for me to make any statement while these discussions are in progress.
Regarding the litigation with Bailey (Malta) Limited, I have nothing new to report.
§ Mr. DigbyWhile I recognise the right hon. Gentleman's difficulties, may I ask h an to realise how important it is to determine the ownership of the dockyard and also the ownership of these appalling losses there which are necessarily resulting on the closure of the Suez Canal?
§ Mr. ThomsonYes, Sir. I am conscious the importance of the dockyard to the economy of Malta as the biggest single employer, and I am earnestly seeking with the Prime Minister of Malta to come to a satisfactory solution of these problems.
§ Sir W. TeelingWill the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will not try to force the Prime Minister of Malta to nationalise the docks, which he does not want to do?
§ Mr. ThomsonI am not sure that I have the same repugnance for nationalisation as the hon. Gentleman has. But I do not wish to go into details about our discussions at this stage.