Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Malta – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 16 June 1964.
Mr Stanley Awbery
, Bristol Central
12:00,
16 June 1964
asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies (1) if he has considered the request of the Leader of the Opposition in Malta for further consultations with the representatives of the political parties in the Island on the question of independence, in view of the inconclusive electoral decision;
(2) if he discussed with the Prime Minister of Malta at their recent interview the questions of defence and a financial agreement; and if he will now make a statement.
The "Leader of the Opposition" is head of "Her Majesty's Official Opposition". This position is taken by the Leader of the party with the 2nd largest number of MPs in the Commons.
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.
