§ 51. Mr. Tom Dribergasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the walls of many ancient churches in Malta are defaced by crudely printed posters bearing political slogans of a character likely to provoke breaches of the peace and to damage the tourist trade by causing offence to some visitors from the United Kingdom and other countries; and if, in view of the artistic importance of these buildings and the economic importance of the tourist trade, he will extend to ecclesiastical property the application of the ordinance which forbids the display of political posters, or by other means seek to put an end to this practice; or, alternatively, in view of the inequitable operation of this ordinance, if he will cause it to be cancelled and permit the free display of posters by all parties.
§ Mr. MaudlingUnder the terms of the Malta Aesthetic Buildings Ordinance posters can be displayed on buildings used for religious purposes. I do not propose to seek to alter these rights which the Church has enjoyed for many years. It is customary at election time for the Governor to relax the restrictions on the display of posters on other buildings and I am informed that this will be done over the period of the forthcoming elections.