§ 9. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a further statement about relations with Malta.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI have nothing to add for the present to what my noble Friend the Minister of State 1076 for Defence told the House on 27th July in the course of the Consolidated Fund Bill Debate.—[Vol. 822, c. 267–71.]
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonIs my right hon. Friend aware that the difficulties with the present Maltese Government have in no way diminished the affection and admiration of the British people for their fellow subjects in Malta? If the Maltese object to being entangled with super-Powers, might it be worth while considering whether a new defence relationship could be worked out on a European rather than an Atlantic basis?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThat could be one possibility. There are various possibilities. The North Atlantic Council is meeting this afternoon, and we hope that something constructive may emerge from that meeting.
§ Mr. Russell JohnstonWill the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary also bear in mind that it should be brought to the attention of the Prime Minister of Malta that defence arrangements for certain of our requirements under N.A.T.O. could be made in Gibraltar rather than Malta?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThere are other places where the arrangements could be made, but I think that almost every hon. Member would wish that if a reasonable agreement could be reached we should stay in Malta.