The PL pledge to remove time-barring on cases of political corruption would also see the Auditor-General be given the necessary resources to revisit previous investigations, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said this morning.

Dr Muscat made the statement in reply to a question asking whether the PL expected an investigation into BWSC to be reopened.

"We're not interested in witch hunts and we're not interested in covering up for anyone. The Auditor General said he did not have the necessary resources to fully investigate. Once he has those resources, one would expect him to revisit prior cases," he said.

Dr Muscat was speaking outside Mickey's Child care centre in Bulebel Industrial estate.

He said a PL government would "invest heavily" in after-school care programmes such as Club 3-16 to relieve pressure on mothers eager to work.

Describing the government programme, which allows schoolchildren to remain in school after lesson time while their parents work, as "a success" , Dr Muscat said feedback indicated that demand for such initiatives was high and that the measure would entice more women into the workforce.

He said the level of investment would be determined after discussions with education authorities.

The PL leader also said that the government needed to reinvigorate its efforts at providing flexible working conditions .

"The government had started strongly some years ago but it seems to have lost steam. We want a greater push towards offering parents flexitime, reduced hours, teleworking opportunities and other family-friendly measures," he said.

Dr Muscat argued that the government had to lead by example. He also added that while his preference was for free child care services to be provided in partnership with the privae sector, the government would be willing to step in and provide the service itself if needed.

Earlier, Dr Muscat visited market hawkers in Mosta, although the visit was cut short due to poor weather.