FUTURE OF MALTA (Hansard, 2 June 1964)

§ THE EARL OF LISTOWEL
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS AND FOR THE COLONIES (THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE)
My Lords, my right honourable friend is at present having talks with the Prime Minister of Malta and will make a full statement as soon as possible.

§ THE EARL OF LISTOWEL
My Lords, may I ask the noble Marquess, in view of the fact that Malta is the first British Colony whose independence has been postponed after a date had been fixed by Her Majesty's Government—the date, in fact, was May 31—whether he does not agree that this was a serious miscalculation on the part of the Government and that regrets should be expressed to the people of Malta for the fact that the Government have been obliged to disappoint their expectations? May I ask also whether a date for independence will be fixed as soon as possible after the approval of a new Constitution? I am not, I think, asking questions which would in any way embarrass him in the course of negotiations he is now conducting. May I further ask him whether, before the new Constitution is approved by Her Majesty's Government, Mr. Mintoff, the Leader of the Labour Party in Malta, will be consulted as well as the Prime Minister of Malta, who is being consulted at the moment? I am sure the noble Marquess agrees that it is vital that the Labour Party should approve of the new Constitution.
377 I apologise for asking so many questions but this is really a very important matter. May I ask him, finally, whether he will make a statement in this House, in view of the fact that he cannot make a statement now, as soon as the new Constitution has been approved?

§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE
My Lords, in reply to the first part of the noble Earl's omnibus question, the answer is No, I do not agree.
I think your Lordships would appreciate that it would not be proper or wise for me to make any piecemeal announcement of the full statement which my right honourable friend has promised. In regard to the question the noble Earl has put relating to whether or not my right honourable friend will see Mr. Mintoff, as your Lordships are aware, my right honourable friend is now discussing with the Prime Minister of Malta all these delicate problems and, if he considers it necessary, clearly my right honourable friend will consult other political leaders also.

§ THE EARL OF LISTOWEL
My Lords, is the noble Marquess unable to say whether or not the Secretary of State has made up his mind that it is essential to consult the Leader of the second most important Party in Malta—which has the support, as the noble Marquess is aware, of all the dockers and a very large section of the population—before a new Constitution for Malta as an independent country is finally approved?

§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE
My Lords, with great respect I think I have already answered that point.

§ LORD SILKIN
My Lords, the noble Marquess said: if his right honourable friend thinks it necessary. Apart from its being necessary, is it not desirable that we should carry with us on the new Constitution all sections of the community in Malta?

§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE
My Lords, I think the noble Lord must allow my right honourable friend to decide whether or not it is necessary.

§ LORD SILKIN
I am challenging the criterion. I would certainly not challenge his judgment, but the criterion of whether he thinks it necessary. Is not the criterion whether it is desirable in the public interest?