Those who decide on public matters should remain accountable - Sant

Labour leader Alfred Sant said yesterday he agreed the Labour Party should propose the lifting of prescription in matters involving corruption and abuse of power.

Dr Sant was speaking during a Super One radio interview with Labour MP Joe Brincat, who made the suggestion in Parliament last week. Also taking part was Labour MP Roderick Galdes.

Dr Sant said it needed to be ensured that those people who took decisions on behalf of the people remained accountable for their actions.

In his remarks, Dr Sant said a Labour government would focus on economic regeneration, job creation and inflation control.

He expressed concern over the way the tourism sector was deteriorating even in summer, noting that Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech only produced a strategic plan for the sector on Thursday because the opposition was due to move a motion in Parliament on Friday.

The Prime Minister was looking very weak when he allowed Dr Zammit Dimech to remain in saddle despite the growing number of problems the tourism sector was facing, Dr Sant said.

He levelled his guns at the government over port reform, saying a change meant to bring down tariffs had had the opposite effect. He expressed surprise how major roadworks near the airport and in Gozo were being carried out in the middle of the tourist season.

When he spoke about last week's parliamentary debate on the extensions of the development zones, Dr Sant said the government could not grant its MPs a free vote because at least four MPs were against the proposals. He did not name them.

He said a particular Nationalist MP was very angry because he had sold his land shortly before learning that it would be included in a development zone.

Dr Sant also hit out at the government for not publishing a full list of the current owners of the land included in the development zones.