Speaker confirms minutes of MCESD motion debate

Mr Speaker Michael Frendo yesterday confirmed the minutes of the debate on the opposition motion for the enlargement of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) to include the Gozo Business Chamber, among others. The motion had...

Mr Speaker Michael Frendo yesterday confirmed the minutes of the debate on the opposition motion for the enlargement of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) to include the Gozo Business Chamber, among others. The motion had been defeated.

The Speaker confirmed the minutes after Labour MP Gino Cauchi requested a ruling on the debate after Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono, Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said and Nationalist MP Fredrick Azzopardi had issued a statement refuting claims made last Sunday by Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat that the three government Gozitan MPs had voted against the participation of the Gozo Business Chamber in the MCESD.

The Speaker confirmed that the opposition’s motion had been defeated by 34 votes in favour and 35 votes against.

Mr Cauchi was ruled out of order when he said that the vote confirmed that the three Gozitan nationalist MPs had voted against. Dr Frendo said that he did not want to become part of a political controversy.

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