asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to revise the Maltese electoral register and to abolish the voting certificate system.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if, as recommended in the Blood Report, he has investigated the alleged abuse of voting certificates in Malta; what have been the results of his investigation; and what alterations he intends to make in the law as a result;

(2) to what extent he intends reforming the electoral laws of Malta with particular reference to proxy and postal votes, numbered electoral lists, and the abolition of a free choice of polling stations.

As recommended in the Blood Report, the alleged abuse of voting certificates in Malta has been most carefully examined by the Government of Malta. I am satisfied from the Report that the allegations of abuse have been greatly exaggerated. A new electoral register is being prepared and certain administrative changes are being made to reduce still further the possibility of abuse, including restricting use of each voting certificate to a single polling station. No changes are contemplated in respect of proxy and postal voting. I believe that the consideration of further changes in the electoral system should properly be left to the new Maltese legislature.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the present electoral register—the one introduced this summer—is still on the lines of that which was issued in 1921? Would not it be a good thing to bring it fully into line with the British system, with compulsory registration?

The Questions deal with abuses. I have said that we have made certain administrative changes which should reduce the danger of abuses, but I shall be happy to consider any suggestions from hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give details of the representations received from the Maltese political parties concerning the number of electoral divisions and number of seats in the new Parliament; and if he has yet decided on the number of electoral districts.

The number of electoral divisions and seats in the new Maltese Legislative Assembly were discussed with the Maltese political parties in confidential correspondence. As for the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Malta (Electoral Provisions) Order in Council, 1961, which provides for a Legislative Assembly of fifty.

Is the Colonial Secretary aware that this will mean there will be one Member of Parliament per 3,000 electors? Is he further aware that even with a legislative assembly of forty, the Blood Report called attention to the difficulties of finding enough Members of the right calibre? Does not the increase in the size of the Assembly add to the problem of finding the necessary Members of Parliament?

I shall certainly study what the hon. Member says, but I have explained the position under the existing Order, which was made after pretty full consultation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are his intentions with regard to the future constitutional status of Malta.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to announce the date of publication of the new Constitution for Malta and if he will give an assurance that no action will be taken to implement it until the House has had an opportunity to discuss it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the new Constitution for Malta will be ready for publication.

I hope to submit a new Constitution for Malta, based on the recommendations of the Malta Constitutional Commission, 1960, to the Queen, in Council today for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Bearing in mind that Sir Hilary Blood suggested that Malta should henceforth be the State of Malta and not the Colony of Malta, will my right hon. Friend tell me whether he intends to carry out that suggestion? If so, will he do it by Act of Parliament rather than Order in Council, because that is more permanent?

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the publication of the new Constitution which will become available in a very short time.

May I ask whether there will be plenty of time given between the publication of the Constitution for Malta and the elections in order to give the people good time to study the matter and to know for what they are voting?

I am not certain what "plenty of time" means in this context. I think that the time we have in mind should be quite adequate.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give an assurance that contracts for the development of the dockyard in Malta will be placed before the Maltese elections are held.

I cannot give the assurance for which my hon. Friend asks about the timing of the placing of contracts which is in the hands of the company concerned.

Bearing in mind that the dockyard is the very backbone of Maltese economy, does not my right hon. Friend agree that if there were an election before these contracts were placed there would be no feeling of security among the Maltese people? Is it not desirable to make certain that the elections are not held until that development programme starts?

I do not think the two things will clash, but, as I say, we cannot dictate to the company the timing of its activities. In placing the contracts, it is limited to a list of approved contractors and we must leave the matter in its hands.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the inadequate reporting and publishing of proceedings in the previous legislatures of Malta, he will clearly state in the new Constitution precise rules governing the preparation and publication of the Official Report.

While it is appropriate to provide in a Constitution for the keeping of official records, I think that detailed regulations covering reporting and publication would be more appropriately dealt with in rules made by the Maltese Legislative Assembly.

May I thank my right hon. Friend for that Answer and express the hope that adequate opportunities will be given and that also there will be adequate legal advice?