In his letter (November 21), Vincent Chetcuti asked a number of questions which I feel should not go unanswered.

In my earlier correspondence, I stated that a "draft White Paper (on Rent Laws) is ready to be presented for discussion in Cabinet". As I am sure Mr Chetcuti is aware, prior to publication, White Papers are first discussed in and approved by the Cabinet because they represent the government's proposals on the issue. The whole raison d'être of a White Paper is exactly to serve as a platform for public consultation. It is not unknown for a government to thoroughly amend its original proposals after taking into consideration the discussion which followed the publication of a White Paper.

This draft White Paper was prepared by an inter-ministerial committee which included the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity, the Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications.

I would like to put Mr Chetcuti's mind at rest that the proposals put forward in this draft White Paper take into consideration the present anomalous situation and proposes legislative measures on how the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants are upheld and protected.

The eventual publication of the White Paper on the rent laws will provide the opportunity for a consultation period where all concerned can participate.