Opposition Whip Joe Mizzi yesterday strongly protested on "the ridiculing of Parliament by the government".

Speaking just after question time, Mr Mizzi said a question he had put last November had just been answered with the government saying the information was still being collected and the answer would be given in a subsequent sitting.

The question concerned the conflicting reports by Enemalta Corporation and Mepa on the switching off of precipitators on three boilers at the Marsa power station for months.

Mr Mizzi asked if the government realised that almost the same question, but this time by former minister Jesmond Mugliett, had already been answered. This amounted to ridiculing the highest institution in the country.

Mr Speaker Louis Galea took note of Mr Mizzi's complaint, pointing out that the Chair had no control over the content of answers to parliamentary questions. However, he promised to speak to both the government side and Mr Mizzi and revert on the matter.