Labour would aid yards 'beyond 2008'

Opposition leader Alfred Sant said yesterday a Labour government would continue to subsidise the shipyards beyond 2008 through European Union funds if the need arose.

The government had set 2008 as the deadline to cut subsidies for the shipyards following the 2003 restructuring process.

Speaking on Super One, however, Dr Sant said the MLP was looking into how it could tap EU funds to subsidise the shipyards beyond that date if elected to government.

Dr Sant said a new Labour government would have no problem making use of the agricultural safeguard clause, lambasting the government for refusing to implement the clause even though the agricultural industry was facing a crisis.

On immigration, Dr Sant reiterated his view that if Malta does not receive external help to deal with the problem, the country would be obliged to take unilateral action.

Dr Sant said that during a meeting which the party had held with the Birzebbuga local council, the council expressed people's fears about the increase in the number of illegal immigrants.

The Labour leader condemned the fact that the immigration problem was being used by certain individuals to fuel racism.