Malta

HC Deb 09 July 1970 vol 803 cc817-8

2. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will make a statement on the restoration of aid to Malta.

8. Mr. Fisher

asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will make a statement about aid to Malta.

Mr. Wood

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Oxford (Mr. Woodhouse) on 6th July, I hope soon to be able to renew negotiations with the Government of Malta. The British High Commissioner in Valletta is coming to London next week for discussions on this matter.—[Vol. 803, c. 9.]

Mr. Wall

I, too, congratulate my right hon. Friend on his new and most suitable appointment. Will he remember, when the negotiations start, that all aid to the George Cross Island has been suspended for over 1¼ years, which is endangering the future of N.A.T.O. in the Mediterranean at a time when the Soviet Union is increasing its threat?

Mr. Wood

I thank my hon. Friend for what he said in the first part of his supplementary question. I agree entirely with what he said in the second part. That is why we are anxious to see this dispute settled on reasonable terms so that the flow of aid can be resumed.

Mr. Fisher

While not wishing to advocate instant government, may I urge upon my right hon. Friend the need for an early decision in this matter, even if it is only of a compromise and interim character, in order to get aid flowing again, because the very long delay under the previous Administration was prejudicial to our good relations with Malta and very prejudicial to her interests?

Mr. Wood

I think that my hon. Friend will agree that we are losing no time, because the High Commissioner is coming here next week to begin these discussions.

Mrs. Hart

May I offer my very best wishes to the right hon. Gentleman on taking office in what I am sure he will find to be a most rewarding Department? As the income per head in Malta is very high compared with that in other countries to which we give aid, would the right hon. Gentleman agree that there are no specific aid criteria which would justify any further concessions to Malta?

Mr. Wood

I thank the right hon. Lady for her good wishes. I agree with her assessment, in view of the very authoritative position from which she gives it, that the aid terms which we are offering, and may offer, Malta are likely to be more generous than those followed in the usual aid criteria.