1.
GV SHOP BEING BOARDED UP AT FOUR O'CLOCK
0.10

2.
SV & CU CLOCK SHOWING TIME
0.15

3.
GV ANOTHER CLOSED SHOP
0.23

4.
SV DITTO
0.27

5.
GV NEWSPAPER POSTER "PRIME MINISTER REPEATS NO BLACKMAIL"
0.30

6.
GV "BRITISH MP's TABLE MOTION ON CUTS"
0.32

7.
SVs PEOPLE SIGNING PETITION IN MALTA (4 SHOTS)
0.46

8.
GV INT. MRS AXISA (NEAREST CAMERA) WITH HELPER WORKING ON PETITION IN LONDON
0.50

9.
SCU DITTO
0.56

10.
CU MRS AXISA
1.02

11.
SCU LETTERS BEING SORTED
1.10

12.
GV HELPERS AROUND TABLE
1.15

13.
GV MARCHERS OVER BRIDGE
1.19

14.
GV MARCHERS
1.25

15.
GV MARCHERS ENTER HOUSE OF COMMONS
1.32



Initials JSU/V/MGT/SGM



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: MALTA TODAY (THURSDAY) REJECTED A BRITISH OFFER TO SEND AN INDUSTRIAL MISSION TO HELP TACKLE THE ECONOMIC CRISIS FEARED BY THE ISLAND AS A RESULT OF BRITISH DEFENCE CUTS. SHOPKEEPERS STAGED A TWO HOUR STRIKE TO BACK UP THEIR GOVERNMENT'S STAND.

THE MALTESE GOVERNMENT CLAIMS THAT BY THE PLANNED TROOP CUT BRITAIN HAS FORFEITED ALL ITS RIGHTS UNDER THE 1964 DEFENCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. AS A RESULT OF THE DISPUTE BRITISH AIR, ARMY AND NAVAL UNITS HAVE BEEN DENIED SUPPLIES OF DUTY-FREE OIL. ALL R.A.F. PLANES HAVE BEEN GROUNDED BUT THE ARMY HAS BEEN ABLE TO KEEP ITS VEHICLES RUNNING ON RESERVE FUEL.

IN LONDON A LONG QUEUE WAITED IN THE HOPE OF GETTING INTO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS TO HEAR THE DEBATE ON THE CRISIS. AMONG THEM WAS THE WIFE OF MALTA'S HIGH COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, MRS AXISA. BY MEANS OF LETTERS AND PETITIONS, SHE HAS BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT THIS WEEK HOW MUCH SUPPORT THERE IS FOR MALTA AMONG BRITISH PEOPLE. SIMILAR PETITIONS AGAINST THE CUTS ARE CIRCULATING ON THE ISLAND.