§ Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what commercial work has been done in the ship repairing yards in Malta since the take-over; what steps have been taken to introduce new industries into Malta; and what inquiries have been received from commercial firms requiring sites.
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§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd,pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 11th June, 1959; Vol. 606, c. 1163], supplied the following information:
In the ten weeks since the take-over, work has been carried out in the Malta Dockyard on eight commercial ships for voyage repairs, routine docking and surveys, in addition to work on H.M. ships. As regards the second part of the Question, an Ordinance was enacted on 14th April providing for tax-free holidays and customs concessions to new industries and for the expansion of existing industries. Government grants and loans will also be available for these industries. Art Aids to Industries Board, provided for in the Ordinance, has been set up and applications for assistance under the Ordinance and for grants and loans are now being examined. The answer to the third part of the Question is over twelve, for sites on the Government industrial estate.