No final decision has been taken yet on the relocation of the Monti open-air market, Speaker Anglu Farrugia said today.

He made his comments in reply to questions during a press conference where he announced Parliament House open days on June 6 and 7.

Dr Farrugia reiterated his position that the stalls should not be close to Parliament House, for security reasons. He said he had exchanged correspondence with the government on the matter, but did not go into details.

Asked about the number of policemen on security duties outside the House - as many as 12 this morning even though the House was not in session - Dr Farrugia said the number of policemen was decided by the police authorities. He pointed out, however, that the parliament building was very exposed.

He expressed concern about the number of young people roaming in the vicinity of parliament during the weekends.

On the fact that his car is being parked right outside parliament - the only car to be parked in that way - Dr Farrugia said he had permission from Transport Malta and he had no problem parking elsewhere, but it was customary for the Speaker's car to be parked within the precincts of the House. 

Dr Farrugia said the planned permanent exhibition on Malta's political history, in the ground flood of the administration building of Parliament House, should open its doors in September.

The Open Day will be held on Saturday June 6 between 9am and 4pm and on Sunday June 7 between 9am and 1pm.

June 7 is particularly significant because it recalls the riots of 1919 which eventually led to the setting up of the legislative assembly in 1921.