§ 65. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to ascertain the wishes of the people of Malta on the suspension of the constitution and the desirability of a 120W new one; and if he will hold a referendum of the people, or an election, to ascertain their wishes.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydMy consultations on a new constitution with representatives of the Maltese political parties last November failed for reasons which were explained in the debates in February on the Malta (Letters Patent) Bill. I then expressed the hope that the Constitution made under that Bill, when it became law, would be genuinely interim, but it would be premature for me to try to indicate when elections can be held.