A Honda CRV Estate bought by the government for €25,401 in 2008 to be used as the Finance Minister’s secondary car was bought by former minister Tonio Fenech on March 7, 2013, the eve of the general election, for €1,908.

This was said in Parliament this evening by Finance Minister Edward Scicluna when replying to a parliamentary question by Labour MP Charles Mangion.

The minister said the car was used as the minister’s secondary car between January 1, 2008 and March 7, 2013. The total expense on repairs during this period amounted to €8,293 and the fuel expense to €6,578.

But in a reply this evening, Mr Fenech said the car was not purchased in 2008 but in 2004.

"There were no negotiations to acquire the car but the car was acquired in accordance with government procedures.

Mr Fenech said the value of a car in such instances was determined by the department according to a set policy.

He said that after six years he could have opted to change the car but he did not feel he should put an additional burden on the state.

Mr Fenech also noted that he paid tax on the car in the form of fringe benefits which he asked the minister to disclose.

He said he asked the minister to issue a correction and the necessary clarification and the minister promised to investigate and clarify.