The government was willing to make an ex gratia payment to the family of Karin Grech, who was killed in a letter bomb explosion 30 years ago, a judge was informed yesterday.

Edwin Grech, his wife Pearl and their son Kevin are claiming that their fundamental human right to freedom from discrimination was violated because the government had failed to make an ex gratia payment to them in compensation following the girl's death. Ms Grech, who was 15 years old at the time, died on December 28, 1977, when she opened a letter bomb addressed to her father, Prof. Grech.

The Grech family claimed that the investigations into her death had not been carried out in good faith.

The Prime Minister submitted that he was aware of the situation faced by the Grech family which had lost a daughter and sister in tragic circumstances. He understood the frustration that the Grechs might have due to the lack of a positive outcome in the investigations carried out to date. However, he was in duty bound to reply to the allegations made by the Grech family in their constitutional application.

In the first place the Grech family ought not to have addressed their complaint against the Prime Minister for they were claiming an abuse of administrative power and ought to have made use of the ordinary remedies available to them at law. The Prime Minister was not responsible for the administration of any scheme to pay compensation to crime victims.

The Prime Minister denied the allegations made by the Grech family that the investigations carried had not been in good faith. Investigations were ongoing and over the years a number of extraordinary measures had been taken, such as the bringing to Malta of a team of Scotland Yard investigators.

Once the crime had not been solved it was impossible for anyone to reach any conclusions as to the motive behind it. Furthermore, the government had not refused to grant compensation to the Grech family. The Prime Minister denied that any discrimination had taken place against the Grechs.

Lawyer Peter Grech, counsel to the Prime Minister, reiterated at yesterday's sitting that the government had not refused to pay compensation. The problem had been caused by the fact that the request for payment had been made on the basis that the government had not properly investigated the girl's death. The government was in fact willing to consider the possibility of effecting an ex gratia payment to the Grech family.

Lawyer Alex Perici Calascione, acting for the Grechs, told the court that all the family wanted was to be treated in the same manner as other persons who had received such a payment.

Mr Justice Raymond C. Pace, sitting in the First Hall of the Civil Court, put the case off for February 27, by which date the parties were to declare whether they had reached an amicable agreement.

Lawyers Emmanuel Mallia and Alex Perici Calascione acted for the Grech family.

Dr Grech and lawyer Cynthia Scerri Debono were counsel to the Prime Minister.