Three Labour MPs have presented a motion in Parliament proposing the setting up of a House committee that would safeguard and protect the family.The committee would analyse and scrutinise the policies and the national plan for the family and make recommendations for improvements if required, the proposed motion says.

The motion, filed by Carmelo Abela, Justyne Caruana and Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, was unanimously approved by the Labour Parliamentary group.

Presented yesterday morning, the motion points out that the importance of the family to Maltese society was highlighted in recent months during the heated discussion on marriage and divorce.

“It is clear there is unprecedented consent about how much the Maltese and Gozitans cherish the family and all that it represents,” the MPs said.

Families were facing difficulties and challenges but were not always able to overcome them.

It would be a “pity” to lose the opportunity to act for a stronger future for Maltese families, especially after the issue was raised so prominently on the national agenda.

The Family Affairs Permanent Committee would follow the work carried out by other organisations and entities – government and independent – that were also focused on the family.

It would also commission research and studies about the family and children to eventually make recommendations and proposals to Parliament, the motion proposes.

“There is a need to make all possible efforts to ensure children and adolescents grow in the care offered by the family and help them develop socially and emotionally,” the motion says.

The motion calls on Parliament to set up the committee by summer and appoint five members which are three Nationalist MPs (including a chairman) and two Labour MPs.