On three consecutive instances during question time, Franco Debono pointedly asked why Health Minister Joseph Cassar was answering Opposition questions addressed to the Prime Minister when Dr Gonzi was in the Chamber.

The first twice Dr Gonzi appeared to be ignoring Dr Debono but on the third he rose to point out that every minister had the right to delegate the answering of PQs to fellow MPs. He was ready to intervene if a problem cropped up.

Dr Debono said he did not think the Standing Orders allowed this to happen when the minister concerned was not absent. Mr Speaker Michael Frendo said there was nothing in the Standing Orders to preclude what was happening.

The Nationalist backbencher said the questions, put by Labour MP Noel Farrugia about reports received by the police of crime in his constituency, concerned the Home Affairs Ministry, which was still feeling repercussions of the “strong earthquake” it went through with the forced resignation of the former minister.

Meanwhile yesterday Mr Debono yesterday raised another series of breach of privilege complaints in Parliament against three readers who posted comments on timesofmalta.com under Tuesday’s report on death threats he had received.

Dr Debono remarked that the online report and The Times the next day were faithful but the three comments were defamatory.

Mr Speaker Michael Frendo said he would give a ruling in another sitting.