asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on recent developments in the discussions between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Malta.

Talks at official level have been taking place in London over the weekend for the purpose of preparing the detailed texts that would be involved in a new Defence Agreement, if one were to be signed. The Maltese Government have not yet confirmed, however, that they are prepared to conclude a new Agreement on the basis of the terms which have been offered by Britain and N.A.T.O.