§ Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what conversations have taken place with Messrs. Bailey over the take-over of the shipbuilding and repairing yards in Malta; and when he expects to reach finality with them.
§ Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, when a start will be made with the development scheme for Malta Dockyard.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI informed the House on 7th July that talks with the company about their revised development plan for the Malta dockyard had been prolonged by the necessity of dealing with certain other issues relating to the operation of the financial agreement, which provides for Her Majesty's Government's contribution to the conversion plan. The discussion of these issues has been protracted, but I am glad to say that it has now been brought to a successful conclusion. The agreement reached some time ago between Her Majesty's Government and the company that the board should be expanded can now be implemented. Sir Richard Yeabsley and Mr. Hanning Philipps have at the request of Her Majesty's Government accepted invitations from the chairman and board of Bailey (Malta) Limited to join their board. Mr. Lawrence Robson has also been invited to join the board and Her Majesty's Government welcome his appointment.
Her Majesty's Government and the company hope that rapid progress can now be made with the settlement of questions which have had to remain in abeyance. In particular we are most anxious to bring to an early conclusion discussions on the development plan so that major conversion work can then go ahead at the dockyard without further delay.