Lords Sitting of 3 May 1887

MINUTES.
PUBLIC BILLS—First Reading—Police Force Enfranchisement * (77); County Courts Consolidation * (78).

MALTA—CHANGES IN THE CON-STITUTION.—QUESTION.
EARL DE LA WARRasked Her-Majesty's Government, Whether they
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can give any information with regard to the time when the proposed Constitutional changes in the Government of Malta will be carried into effect; and whether such information will be in possession of the Maltese constituencies before the next General Election? He asked for this information understanding that the Council of Government had been dissolved.
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (The Earl of ONSLOW)said, it was the fact that the Council of Government in Malta had been dissolved; and, inasmuch as it was necessary that a period of three months should elapse before the election of the new Council, it had been thought desirable to take steps, as soon as possible, to enable the constituencies of Malta to consider the new scheme of proposed Constitutional changes. He should hope to be able to lay Papers on the subject, including a despatch written to the Governor of Malta describing the proposed changes, on the Table in the course of a day or two, and they would be in the possession of the constituencies of Malta in ample time before the next election took place.

ISLANDS OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC—THE NEW HEBRIDES.
  EXPLANATION.
  THE PRIME MINISTER AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Marquess of SALISBURY): The noble Earl opposite (Earl Granville) read me a little lecture last night on my imprudence in not following my own rule by refusing to answer a Question where no Notice has been given. I fully admit that his lecture was entirely deserved, because it turns out that I confessed to sins which I had not committed. It appears that my impression was correct. There is a war ship of the Royal Navy at the New Hebrides, and there has been for some time.

  COUNTY COURTS CONSOLIDATION BILL [H.L.]
  A Bill to consolidate the County Court Acts —Was presented by The Lord Chancellor; read 1a. (No. 78.)
  House adjourned at half past Four o'clock, to Thursday next, a quarter past Ten o'clock.