STATUS OF MALTA

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27705, 8 July 1955, Page 11

STATUS OF MALTA

British Talks On Integration LONDON, July 6 Britain’s political parties will hold a round-table conference in September to decide whether Malta should send members to the British Parliament. Sir Anthony Eden announced today If the proposal is accepted it will mean that the Mediterranean island—which won the George Cross in the last war—will become to all intents part of the United Kingdom. Malta’s status would then be similar to that of Northern Ireland. The Prime Minister said that members of the Maltese Assembly would be called into the conference for consultation. Mr Dominic Mintoff, Malta’s Labour Prime Minister, now in London discussing constitutional matters affecting the two countries, had put forward proposals for closer association between Malta and the United Kingdom, he added. The conference will be during Parliament’s summer recess, said Mr Anthony Eden. Mr Attlee, Leader of the Opposition, welcomed the proposal. “I do not think we should be afraid of setting precedents.” be .♦xaita’s Plans Mr Mintoff, the Prime Minister of Malta, wishes to see Malta as an integral part of the United Kingdom with its own Parliament as now, but also having the right—like Northern Ireland—to send representatives to the British House of Commons. Sir Anthony Eden said that the administrative, financial and constitutional aspects were closely linked. “The administrative and financial aspects are at present in discussion with the Maltese delegation,” he said. “On the constitutional side there is included a proposal that Malta, while retaining its own legislative assembly, should, in future, be represented in Parliament at Westminster. “The Government feels that all sections of political opinion in Parliament should have the opportunity of considering and expressing their views upon a new constitutional development of such importance.”

Mr Attlee, welcoming the proposal, said he hoped that when these matters had been concluded there would be a “closer association between the people of this country and the very gallant people of Malta, whose services we remember so well in the last war.” Replying to questions, the Prime Minister said that the Government had considered the matter of Dominion and Commonwealth Governments. But the particular topic which this conference would have to deal with would be a matter for the Parliament o£ Britain.