§ Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a further statement on the present position of the negotiations with the Prime Minister of Malta regarding the integration of the colony with the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Lennox-Boydpursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 3rd December, 1957; Vol. 579, Col. 209–10], supplied the following information:
The text of my message to the Prime Minister of Malta was as follows:
I am sorry that we have no news to give you though we are working hard and hopefully on mutual problems. It may however be useful to you—particularly as statement about Hong Kong is being made today—to be able to state categorically that no decision has been taken about the future of the dockyard in Malta. The present importance of the dockyard in Maltese economy is well appreciated and, whatever decision is taken, there will be no question of closing the dockyard overnight. There is enough work to keep the dockyard going for about three years at approximately the present level of activity—though some 59W economies will be necessary—whether it continues to be run as a naval establishment or whether it is transferred wholly or in part to commercial interests. I had intended to make an announcement in these terms in London, but you may prefer that it should come through you.