The working space limitations of the Auberge de Baviere in Valletta, which  houses the Government Property Division and the Joint Office, have reached such critical proportions that contracts are having to be finalised in corridors, Parliamentary Secretary Michael Farrugia said in parliament.

The situation was exacerbated when more clerical staff were recruited to speed up work and the Joint Office was also moved to the building.

He said current government thinking is to turn the auberge into a ministry or entrust it to a third party with a proviso that the building would have to be restored.

It is also intended to start the digitisation of some 150,000 files, hopefully in 2014. Dr Farrugia said old files would continue to be kept for several years for back-up purposes.

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