Charity begins at home

With reference to Edgar Gatt's letter (September 14), Simplistic Solution To Immigration, in reaction to my recent concern about the number of illegal immigrants in Malta, I would like to point out that this problem is a very serious one and will get worse unless we tackle it immediately.

Furthermore, Mr Gatt must have been reading the wrong comments because most of those which appeared on the website of The Times referring to my contribution were in favour of my letter.

The solution I have suggested may be simplistic but is a last-ditch attempt because nothing seems to be happening to cut the number of illegal immigrants in Malta. It would be cheaper than keeping them here.

As to his inane suggestion that I put my money where my mouth is and start a foundation to raise funds to send these people back to their country, I preferred two years ago to set up a foundation - the Spiro Mizzi Foundation - to help the many Maltese residing in the south of the island and who are living below the poverty line. Perhaps Mr Gatt could contribute to this foundation and, thus, be more patriotic. His cheque should be sent to Spiro Mizzi Foundation, c/o Mizzi House, National Road, Blata l-Bajda.

I prefer to help my countrymen rather than people who came to our islands uninvited without a visa and without a passport.

I would like to see what would happen to Mr Gatt if he were to arrive in Somalia or in Congo without any documents.