The general secretaries of the Nationalist Party and Alternattiva Demokratika did not turn up for the presentation of the House Social Affairs Committee reports to the three major political parties, despite a formal invitation.

The Labour Party was the only political party present for the meeting, through its national executive secretary Lydia Abela.

Speaker Michael Frendo said these parliamentary reports create the distinction between the executive and Parliament which, although an autonomous institution, was still awaiting the formal recognition of autonomy.

The reports, he said, strengthened the relevance of Parliament and he called on the media to inform the public about parliamentary work as this would contribute to the strengthening of democracy in Malta.

He urged all political parties to take note of these reports because they were policy documents that could be included in political manifestos and help develop their ideas.

The reports deal with a number of social issues in Malta, including the situation of children and the elderly, domestic violence and Paceville.

Ms Abela thanked the committee for its work, promising that the Labour Party would consider its recommendations in the drawing up of its electoral manifesto.