Government and Opposition MPs meeting in the House Business Committee agreed today that former MPs should not retain the title ‘honourable’ which is given to serving members of the House.
The committee had been asked for its opinion by the Office of the Prime Minister after former MPs made a request to keep the title.
The Speaker, Anglu Farrugia, presented the committee with research on the situation abroad.
Mario de Marco, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, said it was clear that in most cases the title was not retained, and he saw no reason for Malta to go against the trend.
Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech agreed.
During the meeting both sides said they agreed with a proposal by the Speaker for parliament to have a TV channel, when possible. Initially sittings would be video-streamed.
Dr Farrugia said he had had talks with Melita and GO. There was no doubt that the time had come for Parliament to have a TV service which would feature plenary and committee sittings and programmes related to parliament.
Dr Farrugia also pointed out that the law would have to be amended to provide for TV streaming and so that Parliament, which was supreme, would not be subject to the Broadcasting Authority, which issues TV licences.
For the moment, he said, GO had agreed to video live stream sittings on its interactive service. It was hoped the service would start when parliament moved to the new Chamber.
Both sides agreed to hold further talks on procedure and the amendments needed to standing orders.