PM's, PSs' absences criticised

The opposition yesterday strongly criticised the absence during question time of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and his two parliamentary secretaries, Chris Said and Mario de Marco.

The whole half-hour of question time was taken by Social Policy Minister John Dalli, who "dutifully" read out written answers to parliamentary questions but more often than not could not answer any supplementary questions because the details requested were not in the relevant files.

He asked questioning MPs to file written questions that could be answered at a later stage.

Towards the end of question time, Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat said there were 10 questions for Dr Gonzi, and asked Deputy Speaker Carmelo Abela to confirm if the Prime Minister and his parliamentary secretaries were abroad on official business or whether they were engaged in government or parliamentary business. Mr Abela confirmed that no member of Cabinet was away from the islands.

Opposition Whip Joe Mizzi asked the Speaker to note that according to the Code of Ethics, MPs' first duty was to Parliament. He queried if ministerial absence from question time was a new way of gagging the opposition with the inability to get satisfactory answers to supplementary questions.

Deputy Speaker Carmelo Abela said his office could only promise to highlight again the code of ethics to Cabinet members.