§ Mr. Kellyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the reason for the repeal of the Malta Act of Parliament excluding lawyers from the Trade Union Council of Malta?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI assume that the hon. Member refers to one of the provisions relating to the Trade Union Council in Malta which were incorporated in the Malta Constitution Letters Patent, 1921, by the Malta Constitution Act, 1932. Under those Letters Patent the Trade Union Council was, in common with certain other sections of the population, entitled to elect Special. Members of the1104W Malta Senate, and the effect of the provision referred to was to exclude from membership of the Trade Union Council members of any other class of persons which was entitled to be represented by Special Members of the Senate. With the introduction of the present Constitution in Malta, the Senate was abolished, and there was therefore no longer reason to maintain the provision referred to with regard to the Trade Union Council.
§ Mr. Kellyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Society of Pilots in Malta is confined to pilots; and if Dr. E. Mizzi, who represents the society on the Malta Trade Union Council is a qualified seaman member?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. The Malta Trade Union Ordinance provides, among other things, that not less than 95 per cent. of the membership of a trade union shall be workmen.
§ Mr. Kellyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the registrar of trade unions in Malta accepted the Society of Pilots for registration as a trade union?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe Society of Pilots was registered as a trade union in Malta on loth August, 1937.