Another seven years?

It is officially known that over 17 per cent of the Maltese population lives in rent-controlled housing, while 13 per cent own property whose rent is pegged at a very low level because it is controlled by the infamous and notorious 1939 rent laws.

A very high majority - 85 per cent - believe that Government and Opposition and Alternattiva Demokratika should work together and have the courage to act together to repeal the 1939 rent laws. These are the findings of a survey carried out by Professor Mario Vassallo on behalf of The Sunday Times (June 26, 2003).

It is highly relevant to note that the present tenants paying 1939 rents are getting 2004 salaries, wages, social assistance, pensions, etc., and also charge for their services and work according to today's cost of living.

It is very interesting to note that on September 30 Family Minister Dolores Cristina announced that a résumé of the findings of the commission set up by Governrnent on September 19, 1997 - over seven years ago - to study rent reform has now been presented to her and that an inter-ministerial meeting will be held shortly to discuss the findings.

I would respectfully like to ask the minister whether it is going to take another seven years to arrive at a conclusion which 85 per cent of the population already believe in - namely, by striking a balance between the landlords and tenants and the official promise made in the President's address at the state opening of Parliament on May 24, 2003.