§ 2.40 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they still intend Malta to be independent by May 31, and if so, what proposals they have for a new Constitution.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS AND FOR THE COLONIES (THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE)My Lords, as was announced on the 28th February, the constitutional talks between my right honourable friend the Colonial Secretary and the Prime Minister of Malta were temporarily suspended pending my right honourable friend's return from Africa. He intends to resume the talks as soon as possible, and I must therefore ask the noble Earl to wait until then for a statement.
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, I am obliged to the noble Marquess. Can he say whether it is still the intention, as I asked in my Question, that Malta shall be independent by the end of May? Can he further say whether, when the Constitution has been decided on by Her Majesty's Government, in consultation, of course, with
* We are unable, by rule of the House, to publish the Table.321 the leaders of the Malta parties, there will be a referendum in Malta on the Constitution before it is put into effect?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, as regards the first part of the noble Lord's Question, the answer is, Yes. As regards the second part, I should be obliged if he would not press me, in view of the fact that the conversations will be resumed very shortly.