§ 5. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about relations with Malta.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeSince the statement by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on 1st July, there have been further exchanges with the Prime Minister of Malta, and our High Commissioner returned to Valletta on 7th July after his consultations with me.
The Government have agreed, at the request of the Malta Government, to suspend the planned changeover between the present battalion in Malta and the Royal Marines Commando Group which was due to replace it this month.—[Vol. 820, c. 578–80.]
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonDo not many of us who know Dom Mintoff like to remember 19 the time when he wanted to get closer to Britain? Will my right hon. Friend consider whether the time might have come when a Minister should go to Malta so that we can have some reciprocity in plain speaking? Meanwhile, may we be told whether the defence agreement is still fully effective?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe answer to the last part of my hon. Friend's question is, "Yes". The defence agreement is still effective. Certainly I shall consider the possibility of a Minister going out to talk to Mr. Dom Mintoff about the review of the defence agreement that he has requested. But the defence agreement is effective now.