The law courts building was evacuated this morning after the fourth bomb threat this year.

The threat was made at about 10am.

There was controversy following the last bomb threat on January 21 when employees and the public were told not to leave the building. Trade unions then intervened and directed workers to walk out until the premises were declared safe.

A court administration spokesman had said the necessary procedures were followed to safeguard the safety of the court employees and the general public.

The government, she added, intended to consult on how to improve security procedures.

Questioned in Parliament later, Parliamentary Secretary Owen Bonnici said bomb threats had been repeatedly made over the years to hold up court procedures.

There were now ways, used by both past and present governments, to decide if a threat was a hoax or otherwise.