Malta (Constitution).

Oral Answers to Questions — Unemployment. – in the House of Commons at on 8 March 1939.

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Photo of Mr Thomas Williams Mr Thomas Williams , Don Valley

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will publish the Letters Patent embodying the new constitution for Malta; and whether he will make a statement as to the date on which, and the conditions under which, the constitution will come into operation?

Mr. M. MacDonald:

The Letters Patent embodying the new constitution for Malta were published in Malta on 25th February, and copies have been placed in the library of the House. It is anticipated that the constitution will be brought into operation as soon as elections can be held. I am not in a position to say when the elections will take place, but I am advised that the necessary preparations, which will involve legislation in Malta and the compilation of a new voters' register, will occupy several months.

Secretary of State

Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

placed in the Library

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