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provide a basis for effective co-operation, which should be conducted in an atmosphere of sympathy and confidence. In our view, therefore, it is importageha0anyfondultative machinery whichPage 206devised should exist not merely for the resolution of occasional difficulties but for a regular and continual process of information, consultation and co-ordination.

97. We believe that the Maltese Prime Minister should be kept informed of general developments in the field of defence and foreign affairs in the Mediterranean area to the extent

extent necessary to provide the Maltese Government with the background required for a proper understanding of the requirements of defence in Malta. Our first recommendation, therefore, is that there should be set up, in place of the Nominated Council, a new Defence Council, under the chairmanship of the Governor, of which the Maltese Prime Minister, the United Kingdom representative in Malta and the Heads of the Services in Malta would be members. The Defence Council should be used both to inform the Maltese Prime Minister of developments in defence and foreign affairs and to discuss matters of defence policy in Malta on which there might be a conflict of interests with the Maltese Government. Secondly, we recommend that, to deal with matters concerning the economic and financial problems involved in the respective activities in Malta of the Service Departments and the Maltese Government, there should be established another committee, presided over by a Maltese Minister, on which representatives of the Services and of the United Kingdom agency in Malta would sit. Both these committees should meet regularly at stated times throughout the year.

98. We hope that most of the difficulties which might arise in the future will be resolved when consultative machinery on these lines is set up in Malta. It must be recognised, however, that some important issues, and some problems of particular difficulty, will need to be dealt with by United Kingdom and Maltese Ministers meeting personally. We therefore recommend, in addition, acceptance of the proposal broadly agreed by all Maltese parties that there should be a joint Ministerial committee in London, presided over by a United Kingdom Minister. We think it is important, however, to make it clear that such a Ministerial committee could not function successfully if it were to be regarded, and used, merely as a court of appeal for disputes unresolved by the process of consultation in Malta, or for striking bargains on other disputed questions. It should also be clear that such a committee, like the committees in Malta, would be advisory and consultative in character, and would not have, as has been sugggested in some evidence, independent executive powers. It should be used for the exchange of information, and for consultation, between the two sides. United Kingdom Ministers should use it to inform Maltese Ministers of general developments in defence and foreign affairs and of other important policy matters of which the latter should be aware; and for explaining the need for particular policies which required to be implemented by the United Kingdom agency in Malta. Maltese Ministers should use it similarly for informing and explaining to United Kingdom Ministers their problems and policies in Malta.

99. The sole purpose of such consultative bodies must be to ensure co-ordination of governmental policy. They could not alter decisions of Parliament, nor purport to effect ad hoc changes in the Maltese Constitution to suit the requirements of particular cases; nor should they be allowed to obscure the responsibilities of Ministers to their Parliaments nor infringe the doctrine of collective Ministerial responsibility. For these and other practical reasons, we recommend that the consultative bodies should be set up administratively, rather than by constitutional instrument.