House to debate censure motion in two long sittings

An Opposition motion censuring comments by Government Investments Minister Austin Gatt and demanding his resignation will be debated in Parliament in two extra-long sittings in the morning and afternoon of July 6.

The House Business Committee agreed yesterday that seven hours of the debate would be dedicated to the opposition and three hours to the government.

Notice of the motion was given last week after the opposition accused Dr Gatt of bypassing Parliament in comments on May 31 when he spoke on the transfer of government property held by Maltacom without making clear that such transfer had to be approved by the House.

Yesterday's committee debate focused on the time needed for the debate. Leader of the House Tonio Borg said motions of no confidence were usually debated in one sitting. Labour whip Joe Mizzi said this was not a normal motion of no confidence because it was based on a declaration by a government minister which rendered Parliament a rubber stamp.

Both sides eventually agreed on having two long sittings in one day.

Turning to other matters, the Speaker, Anton Tabone, said he had received a letter from Malta's ambassador to Madrid Gaetan Naudi, who informed him about an open day held recently by the Congresso del Deputatos during which visitors could meet members and staff of the congress. The ambassador suggested that Malta's Parliament could hold a similar activity.

Both Dr Borg and Mr Mizzi agreed that an organising committee should be set up to explore the idea further and decisions would be taken by consensus.

Both sides also agreed that for the next meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva, the opposition's delegation would include a female MP so that Malta would not lose its voting rights, as it would if it does not send over a woman MP for three successive meetings.

Dr Borg asked Mr Mizzi for the opposition to nominate a female MP since the women on the government side were ministers and a parliamentary secretary.