HL Deb 03 February 1967 vol 279 cc1090-3

11.9 a.m.

LORD ALPORT

My 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, in view of the fact that Malta is not likely to remain a major defence centre, consideration can now be given both by Her Majesty's Government and by the Government of Malta as to what steps would be necessary to make Malta a free port.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS (LORD BESWICK)

My Lords, whilst we have already assured the Government of Malta of all possible co-operation in making available land which may be needed, the establishment of a free port in Malta is a matter for their decision and is not dependent on a reduction in defence facilities in the Island.

LORD ALPORT

My Lords, may I ask whether this particular subject was part of the terms of reference of the high-powered committee which was to go out to advise the Maltese upon future policy of development?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, this is a very interesting and, indeed, imaginative project, and one to which a good deal of study has already been given; but the commercial possibilities and the economic benefits to Malta need to be looked at in a very hard-headed way. The straight answer to the noble Lord's question is that this was not included in any terms of reference because the terms of reference were not drawn up. It is, however, precisely the kind of thing which might have been looked into by the high-powered team of industrialists, had the offer been accepted.

LORD ALPORT

My Lords, may I ask a further question? Does the offer still stand if the Government of Malta, after subsequent thought, wish to change their mind?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, if the noble Lord is referring to the offer to send out a high-powered team of industrialists, the answer is, Yes.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, with regard to the offer to send out a high-powered economic team, is not the difficulty over the economic development of Malta, first, its comparatively isolated situation, and secondly, the lack of water? In these circumstances, would the Government look more closely into a proposal that I raised the other day; namely, the development of tourist trade from this country to Malta?

LORD BESWICK

Yes, My Lords. The development of tourist trade is going ahead. The Maltese Minister for Tourism will be coming to this country next week, in order to help stimulate still further the development of tourism. On the noble Lord's point about lack of water in the Island, it is certainly the fact that if there were more water a good deal more could be done to develop agriculture. I personally should like to think that such a project as the new programme of desalination could make a contribution to the future economy of Malta.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether, in view of the contribution that Malta has made, not only to this country but to others, any consideration has been given to my proposal that the British Government should seek to initiate a world fund, to include contributions from America, from France and from other countries, as some recognition of the part that Malta has played?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I was going to say that my noble friend keeps harping on this question of what we and Malta have done together. I can assure my noble friend, as I have done before, that we are conscious of this. So far as the possibility of other countries' helping is concerned, it is not for us to decide. We cannot compel anybody else to take over responsibilities that we have had hitherto. Inquiries have been made and discussions have been held, for example, with the United States of America. That they have not led to any decision on the part of the United States is no fault of ours.

BARONESS EMMET OF AMBERLEY

My Lords, may I ask the Minister, who I know is sympathetic towards Malta, whether he will press the Government to make a statement that until the commission which it is suggested should be sent out has reported, no further steps should be taken to alter the present situation?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I will see that the noble Lady's suggestion is brought to the notice of those concerned.

LORD OGMORE

My Lords, is the noble Lord, Lord Beswick, aware that his suggestion this morning about the desalination of Malta is a very sensible one? May I ask him to pursue it with the Government, and particularly with his noble friend Lord Shackleton who was rather scathing about desalination, at any rate in this country, only a few days ago?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I am assured by my noble friend Lord Shackleton that the allegation is quite falsely laid at his door. The difficulty in this matter is one of finance. I understand that in this sphere we are coming to the point when it is economical, provided that the plant is sufficiently large. Whether it is feasible to find the funds for such a project in Malta is a matter for consideration by the Malta Government as well as by us through our aid programme.

LORD LINDGREN

My Lords, while my supplementary question may be slightly outside the scope of the original Question, may I ask whether my noble friend can say now what is the total financial contribution annually made to Malta?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I think the best way I can put this, is to say that it works out at £18 per head every year for each man, woman and child of the population of Malta.

THE EARL OF IDDESLEIGH

My Lords, in view of the fact that Malta is a NATO base, may I ask whether consultations have taken place between us and our NATO allies?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, the answer to that question is, Yes.