The government does not yet have a position on whether there should be an airstrip in Gozo and will only be taking a stand once a report being drawn up by the Department of Civil Aviation is concluded.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told journalist Leonard Callus in a radio interview this morning that he was at the moment listening to the arguments being made.

One argument for an airstrip was that for tourists to go to Gozo, their trip there should be facilitated and the seaplane could not, unfortunately, land at night because of the darkness.

But although those who argued in this manner were right, every inch of remaining virgin land in Malta and Gozo was precious, should be well cared for and if possible remain untouched.

Dr Gonzi also spoke on the roads and said that a form of public private partnership was being sought for the formation and maintenance of roads.

Earlier he said that the A(H1N1) influenza could affect next summer’s tourism figures although the numbers up to now matched those of 2007 but not those of last year.

On the forthcoming budget, Dr Gonzi said that the government was trying to reduce expenditure rather than increase its income through taxation. But these were still early days.

He said he would like a constructive debate on the budget with the opposition and with those who had a genuine interest in finding constructive solutions.

The Prime Minister hoped the General Workers’ Union, through statements being made by its general secretary, was not trying to sabotage a process aimed at taking the best decisions for the people.