§ Sir L. SCOTTasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the protest made at a mass meeting of the commercial community of Malta, convened by the Chamber of Commerce at Valetta on the 19th of February, against the continuance of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute in Malta as a trading body; whether requests have been made for its withdrawal; whether he is aware of the local feeling that the 2158W institute has been stifling individual commercial enterprise and impoverishing the island, and that similarly in this country shippers, as from the port of Liverpool, have, through the operations of this institute, had their trade with the island reduced and in some causes destroyed; and whether he will lay papers on the Table showing the trading operations of this body, and say what other action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. WALSHMy attention has been drawn to the subject, though I am not aware that the operations of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute at Malta have had the effects suggested in the question. The trading operations of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute are conducted in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the corporation. Perhaps I ought to inform my right hon. and learned Friend that under their Articles, the institutes are limited to trading operations with Members of His Majesty's forces, their wives and families, and in certain cases civilians employed with the forces. Their operations are solely for the benefit, comfort and well-being of His Majesty's forces throughout the world. In these circumstances I see no reason to take any action which will limit the scope of its trading as allowed by the charter of its constitution.