George Pullicino was not being personal in his comments about a lengthy reply in the House, according to deputy speaker Ċensu Galea. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Deputy Speaker Ċensu Galea yesterday declined to “name” Opposition MP George Pullicino, saying the MP had not been personal in his comments when complaining about a lengthy reply being given by Social Solidarity Minister Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.

Under Standing Orders, if the Speaker deems that the powers conferred on him are inadequate to deal with a major offence, he may name such a member or he may call on the House to pass judgment on his conduct.

Yesterday’s incident started when government whip Carmelo Abela asked the minister, in a supplementary question, what the Housing Authority was doing to tackle the social housing situation. Towards the end of the minister’s reply Mr Pullicino interrupted her to say that this was question time in the House, not lecture time.

The length of answers regularly being given to supplementary questions was ridiculing the House and short-changing the utilisation of time.

Or was it a fact that the minister was trying to avoid certain opposition questions being put in the House, Mr Pullicino asked.

Rising on a point of order, Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said the situation had now been made worse because Mr Pullicino had implicated all MPs. He requested the Speaker to give a ruling and name Mr Pullicino. Opposition Deputy Leader Mario de Marco said the people deserved better than this. Mr Pullicino had simply asked for shorter ministerial answers, and listening to the official tape would bear this out.

But if Mr Pullicino was judged to have abused of House privilege, then he (Dr de Marco) and Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil were associating themselves with him.

Mr Mizzi said the Opposition was again abusing Parliament through its assertions that lengthy ministerial replies were meant to restrict freedom of expression.

On another point of order, Mr Abela said he had asked his supplementary question by right. The Opposition could have worded its protestations better, but questions necessitating lengthy answers could never be misconstrued as restricting freedom of expression. Dr Busuttil himself then asked for a ruling, adding that if Mr Pullicino was named the Speaker should name him too. Opposition whip David Agius joined in the request.

He had simply asked for shorter ministerial answers, and listening to the official tape would bear this out

The Speaker suspended the sitting to listen to the tape, re-emerging after several minutes to recall Speaker Anġlu Farrugia’s ruling in June last year that ministerial replies could not be overly long.

However, while appreciating that question time was not lecture time, Mr Galea said Mr Abela’s question had, by its nature, required a lengthy reply and Ms Coleiro Preca had still been within her time limits.

He asked Mr Pullicino to clarify his comments, adding that at that stage he saw no reason for naming any MP.

Mr Pullicino said he had spoken in general terms, not personally against Ms Coleiro Preca. But long replies during question time were becoming too frequent. He would abide by the ruling.

When Mr Agius asked if Mr Mizzi was withdrawing his request for Mr Pullicino to be named, Mr Galea said that naming anyone was the Speaker’s prerogative, and he saw no reason to name anyone in the circumstances.

The House carried on with its business after Dr Busuttil, in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere, said he was wishing a happy birthday to both the Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Opposition MP Kristy Debono.