The Speaker of the House, Anglu Farrugia, expressed concern over insufficient security coverage for MPs at a meeting of the parliamentary House Business Committee.

A case of vandalism earlier in the month had gone uninvestigated as the area of the Parliament building where it had occurred was not covered by security cameras, he said. Similarly unprotected was the MPs’ parking area, which, he had argued for years, should be secured with barriers and cameras.

The financial presented for Parliament was the first since the enactment of the Parliamentary Services Act, which guaranteed Parliament financial autonomy. €580,000 are being allocated for capital expenditure.

Contracts have been signed with the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation for works to start on a Parliamentary archive and library as well as additional committee rooms.

These facilities will be housed in the -2 level of Parliament building - at the former train station tunnel. The works are scheduled to be completed within two years.

The Committee unanimously resolved to recommend the approval of this plan to Parliament.