§ 2.19 p.m.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy 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 what was the result of the discussion with the Prime Minister of Malta regarding the devaluation of agreed British payments.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, my right honourable friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and Mr. Mintoff had a useful exchange of views on international problems, special attention being given to the Mediterranean area. They also reviewed bilateral relations between Malta and the United Kingdom and in this context Mr. Mintoff explained his concern about the effect for Malta of the recent floating of the pound.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for that reply and welcoming the fact that these discussions appear to have been rather more conciliatory than usual, may I ask him whether it was the case when the agreement regarding the payment by this country to Malta was reached that Mr. Mintoff then suggested that the payment should be based on the changing value of sterling, and that that suggestion was rejected on the ground that the position 272 of sterling was strong? Has there not since been a devaluation in the value of sterling, and would it not be fair to Malta that that should be recognised by a proportionate increase in payments?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, as the noble Lord and other noble Lords will appreciate, the actual conversations that took place last week must remain confidential. But I can tell the noble Lord that this matter was raised and that Her Majesty's Government have indicated their willingness to look into it.