§ 62. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he has yet decided on the composition and terms of reference of the joint mission to Malta agreed with the Government of Malta on 12th March.
§ Mr. BowdenThis is a Joint Mission with members appointed by the British and Malta Governments. I am very glad to be able to announce that, following consultations between the two Governments, Lord Robens has agreed to act as Chairman. I hope to be in a position to announce at a very early date the names of the members of the Mission.
The terms of reference of the Mission are as follows:—
Having regard to the economic situation, the development plans, the potential of Malta and the rundown of British forces in Malta to report to the Governments of Malta and the United Kingdom:
- (i) on ways and means whereby the industrial base could be rapidly and urgently strengthened, additional employment injected and retraining provided, taking into account the type of labour likely to become available;
- (ii) on the number and kind of additional jobs likely to be created as a result of its recommendations under (i)".