§ 6. Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will make a statement on aid to Malta.
§ Mr. PrenticeUnder the Financial Agreement of 1964, the arrangements for the payment of our aid to Malta during the last five years of the life of the Agreement, i.e. after 31st March, 1969, have to be discussed between the two Governments. Discussions have taken place but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.
§ Mr. WallIf it is true that Her Majesty's Government have made a threat to withdraw financial aid from Malta, this is very prejudicial to Anglo-Maltese relations. Can the Minister explain exactly what has happened?
§ Mr. PrenticeIt is not true that we have made any threat of that kind. We 949 have had discussions but, as I have said, I am not yet in a position to make a statement. I must regard the content of the discussions as confidential at this stage.