Arguments on supplementary questions flare up again

The controversy in Parliament over supplementary questions asked during Question Time continued yesterday, with the Prime Minister insisting that standing orders needed to be observed by everyone.

Reacting after supplementary questions by Labour MP Joe Mizzi, Dr Gonzi said that supplementary questions which were not related to the original question should be ruled out of order by the Chair.

This did not mean that ministers did not want to reply to such questions, but they needed to be asked according to the rules. Once MPs did so, they would get their replies within three days.

Mr Mizzi said he had been asking question for four months, without getting replies. He also insisted that the Opposition had a right to ask supplementary questions and then it was up to ministers to decide whether to reply or not.

Dr Gonzi said that was not what the standing orders laid down. When a supplementary question was not related to the original question, it should be ruled out of order. What the government was insisting for was observance of the rules by everyone, or a reasonable attitude by everything, but not only when it suited the opposition.