The House of Representatives on Monday expressed its condolences to Mr Speaker Michael Frendo on the recent death of his mother, Giusa, and to Labour MP Gino Cauchi whose father Colin passed away last month.

Leader of the House Carm Mifsud Bonnici, on behalf of the government, and Opposition Deputy Leader Anġlu Farrugia both spoke of Mrs Frendo, who died on April 21 aged 94, as a hardworking mother. She had made sacrifices to raise her family and give an education to her children, in view of the fact that she had been widowed early in life.

The Speaker thanked both sides and said his mother had been a simple, serene and generous person who had lived her faith.

Minister Mifsud Bonnici had earlier commemorated Mr Cauchi who, he said, had been a well-known sports commentator and journalist. He had served with dedication and humility and given a good service to the sports community.

Dr Farrugia recalled that Mr Cauchi was not only a well-known and respected sports journalist but also a person who had militated for a long time in the political field on behalf of the PL. Although Mr Cauchi had been interdicted by the Church during the politico-religious dispute of the 1960s he had continued to cherish his religious beliefs and treasured the family and family values throughout his life.

Dr Frendo joined both sides in expressing their condolences.

Thanking the House, Mr Cauchi said that, besides his sports career, his father had served under various ministers as a civil servant. He had always spoken with sorrow on his interdiction by the Church because he strongly lived his faith.

He said that his father had been an example of the thousands of volunteers who contributed silently to the work of all political parties. These volunteers, too, deserved thanks and praise for their work, even if they would remain unsung.