Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said it was inopportune to give details of the new car registration tax regime that the government was considering. All possibilities were being studied so as to arrive at the ultimate aims in the most effective manner and with safeguards for all stakeholders in the sector.

Mr Fenech was answering a parliamentary question by Leo Brincat (MLP), who remarked that the minister had already indicated the expected changes in an interview with a local paper and had added that he would prefer the current system to remain unchanged. Mr Brincat asked if Mr Fenech could give any official indications, rather than leaving everybody in a state of uncertainty until the pre-budget consultation document was issued in more than six weeks' time.

He also asked if the minister could confirm that the revenue to the government would remain basically at the same levels after the expected changes came into effect.

Mr Brincat also asked why no indication of what was to happen had been given in the PN electoral manifesto, except that the car tax system needed to change.