I refer to recent articles by aviation historians Frederick Galea and Richard Caruana together with the latest letter by John Mizzi editor of Malta at War in reply to Mr Cassar's letter, a senior official of Heritage Malta who is insisting that the Gloster Gladiator Faith should be retained at the War Museum.

Today Malta through the good work of Mr Polidano and his helpers have been able to build up an Aviation Museum with most of the aircraft which defended or were based in Malta during World War II in pristine condition.

Faith, together with Hope and Charity, was one of the original aircraft which encountered and faced the cream of the Regio Aeronautica at the beginning of hostilities in 1940. Today it lies in the worst possible state which is a real shame.

Much bickering has been going about this subject with Mr Cassar, who in my opinion apart from being pig-headed, arrogant and also naive in defending the case, that Faith should remain at the War Museum.

We youngsters at that time and wartime veterans, who have actually watched Faith which also represents Hope and Charity encounter far superior aircraft at the opening of hostilities in 1940, agree that its rightful place is with the Hurricane and Spitfire that continued to carry out the good work with the sacrifice of many young British and Commonwealth pilots who gave up their lives during the battle of Malta.

Mr Cassar states that "the Gloster Sea Gladiator belongs to the nation".

The nation has given its views so I am sure Parliament could unanimously intervene and decree that the appropriate place for the Faith is to be brought to its original condition by the Malta Aviation Museum Foundation, and end all this bickering which has been going on for a very long time once and for all.