asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have now been taken to reabsorb into employment men previously employed in the Malta Dockyard.

By the new Constitution, this matter is wholly within the sphere of the Maltese Ministers and the Legislative Assembly of Malta, and it would not be proper for me to answer for them. I am, however, glad to take this opportunity of stating that my right hon. Friend is fully alive to the importance of finding outlets for Malta's surplus labour, and His Majesty's Government will do whatever may be possible to meet any request for assistance in tackling this problem which the Government of Malta may make to them.