A new Labour government would set up night centres for the elderly to encourage them to continue living in their community, Labour leader Alfred Sant told a dialogue meeting in Pembroke yesterday.

Dr Sant said such centres would enable the elderly to live on their own during the day and enjoy support and companionship at night.

Labour would also be launching schemes encouraging families to adopt an elderly in their community.

Elderly persons living in institutions had lost much of their independence because they had to pay 80 per cent of their pension in order to stay in the home and this had rendered them dependent on their families. A Labour government would again bring this down to 60 per cent.

Dr Sant said Labour would bring about a tranquil change where justice, efficiency and transparency would reign. It will turn Malta into a caring community and as a result families would enjoy a better quality of life and children would get the best opportunities.

The MLP had come up with a series of proposals some of which required money and others demanded commitment. The party was intent on implementing all its promises.

Dr Sant asked why Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had only fired Environment Minister George Pullicino now. Why had he kept him responsible for the Malta Environment and Planning Authority? The government, he said, was now trying to give the impression that there would be new people if a new PN government is elected. But Dr Gonzi himself was not new!

There could not be a change in the country if the current ministers and Prime Minister were not changed.

Labour, Dr Sant said, may not smile as much as the Prime Minister but it would bring about a serious administration and good governance. His Administration would have responsible ministers who would implement what the party was now promising, he pledged.