§ Mr. Kellyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the 228W number of Government employés in Malta, any provision is made for a scheme of old age pensions and widows' pensions or health or unemployment; and, if not, will he consider instituting these social services?
Mr. M. MacDonaldemployés of the Malta Government serving in pensionable offices are eligible for pensions in accordance with the provisions of the Malta Pensions Ordinance. The same Ordinance also authorises annual allowances and gratuities for persons not holding pensionable offices. There is a compulsory contributory scheme for pensions for the widows and orphans of Government employés. I regret that it is not practicable, for financial reasons, for the Malta Government to institute at the present time old age or other pension schemes for persons other than Government employés.