§ 41. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies if he is aware that the Prime Minister of Malta, in a public speech on 29th March, stated that if the Maltese people voted Yes in the forthcoming referendum on the independence constitution, he would guarantee that no clauses would be included in the constitution that did not enjoy the blessing of the Maltese Roman Catholic hierarchy; and if such a guarantee is supported by Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. SandysI have read differing newspaper reports of this speech. I have, of course, given no guarantees which would restrict the complete freedom of decision of the British Government, with whom the ultimate responsibility rests. In coming to any such decision, we shall naturally take full account of the wishes of the Maltese people.