§ 3.38 p.m.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS AND FOR THE COLONIES (THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE)My Lords, in reply to a Question on Malta, put by the noble Earl, Lord Listowel, on March 10, I indicated that a statement would be made after the resumption of talks between my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Prime Minister of Malta. My right honourable friend has to-day made the following statement in another place. I will make it in his own words:
§
"Some weeks ago, the Prime Minister of Malta, Dr. Borg Olivier,
* Should be "the N.F.F.C." See col. 737.
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informed me that the Maltese political Parties were still unable to agree upon joint proposals for their Independence Constitution or upon any procedure by which the issue could be referred to the electorate for decision. He therefore asked the British Government to settle the matter on their own responsibility.
§ "Since the points of difference centre upon delicate issues affecting the relations between Church and State, I was naturally anxious that any decisions I might have to take should be based upon as wide a measure of assent as possible. Therefore, before replying formally to Dr. Borg Olivier's request, I invited him and the leaders of the other Parties to discuss the position further with me. I also sought the views of the Archbishop of Malta.
§ "I had hoped that it might be possible, if not to reach agreement, at least to narrow somewhat the gap between the opposing points of view. Unfortunately, the talks were unsuccessful and revealed no basis for any compromise.
§
"In the circumstances, Dr. Borg Olivier decided to defer his request to me to adjudicate, pending the holding of a referendum. It is his intention to present to the Malta Legislature a Constitution drafted by his Government. Provided that this is endorsed by the Assembly, he will submit it to the electors through a referendum in which they will be asked the question:
'Do you approve the proposed constition for Independence?'
§ "The ultimate responsibility for deciding the Constitutions of dependent territories rests with Parliament here. Nevertheless, we always try to take full account of public opinion and of any special circumstances in the country concerned. I therefore assured the Prime Minister of Malta that, provided the referendum is held under conditions which, in the opinion of the British Government, are fair and free, we will endeavour to be guided in our decisions by the wishes expressed in it by the Maltese people.
§ "With the agreement of the Prime Minister of Malta, I would propose to 736 appoint observers to witness and report upon the conduct of the referendum."
§ THE EARL OF LISTOWELMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Marquess for his statement about the Independence Constitution for Malta, but many of us are nervous lest this Constitution should be rushed. I would ask the noble Marquess whether he can assure the House that enough time will be allowed for the people of Malta to consider this Constitution, after its publication by the Malta Government, even if this means the postponement of the date of independence beyond May 31. May I also ask him this question? I am delighted that there will be observers at the referendum. Will the noble Marquess consider the appointment of observers from other Commonwealth countries? Will he also consider the inclusion among the observers from this country of members of all Parties from another place? I am sure that he would agree that they are in the best position to know what the meaning of a fair vote is in an election.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Earl. Regarding the first point, I will most certainly draw the attention of my right honourable friend to this question, to ensure that full account is taken of the question of adequate time. As regards the second question, about observers, at this stage I cannot say from what communities or countries or walks of life these observers will be drawn, but I will most certainly draw the attention of my right honourable friend to the questions put to me by the noble Earl.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, could the noble Marquess tell us what will happen if the majority of the electorate reply "No" to the referendum?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNEMy Lords, if the majority of electors reply "No" to the referendum, I presume that that would mean that they do not wish to have this Constitution for their independence.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, could the noble Marquess inform the House what will then happen? Has he another Constitution up his sleeve?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE:My Lords, I am not in a position to go into this question any further at this point.