The government and the opposition this afternoon discussed a compromise text to the definitions clause of a law on parliamentary standards.

The debate was held within a parliamentary committee which is discussing the wording of a new law on the appointment of a Commissioner for Ethics and Standards in Public Life.

The opposition had been critical that the definitions clause spoke of MPs but not ministers or parliamentary secretaries.

Nationalist MP Francis Zammit Dimech said the law should convey a strong political message as to its applicability and the definitions clause should therefore include ministers and parliamentary secretaries.

Foreign Minister George Vella said MPs included ministers and parliamentary secretaries. As a compromise, he suggested that the text should read MPs including minsters and parliamentary secretaries.

He pointed out that the debate did not refer to the administrative work of ministries, but to statutory and ethical duties.

Dr Zammit Dimech said this proposal could be debated by the parliamentary groups. His concern, he said, was about borderline cases. He did not want anyone hiding behind the excuse that his actions were administrative.

The debate on this clause was put off for further consultation.

The two sides also agreed that the Commissioner should be empowered to investigate ethics cases going back up to two years.