§ 95. Mr. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the instructions given by Mr. Mintoff to the Commissioner of Police in Malta which caused the Commissioner to appeal to the Governor; and if he will assure the House that the Commissioner will suffer no victimisation for such action in the future.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAt the height of disturbances on 23rd April, when demonstrators were throwing stones at and trying to break police cordons, Mr. Mintoff ordered the Commissioner of Police to withdraw within three minutes all mounted police and not to authorise further baton charges. He also directed the Commissioner to suspend and place on disciplinary charges certain senior police54W officers who were directing the police in the performance of their duties. The Commissioner quite properly referred these orders to the Governor since public safety, which was thereby endangered, is the responsibility of the Governor under Section 23 of the Constitution Letters Patent. As regards the second part of the Question, I have already authorised the Governor to assure the Commissioner and the force that they have and will continue to have my full support in the exercise of their duties against victimisation.