Muscat turns down invitation for PM’s ‘Question Time’
Karl Stagno-Navarra
Opposition and PL leader Joseph Muscat has turned down a proposal for ‘Prime Minister’s Question Time’ in Parliament, along the model of Britain’s House of Commons.
The proposal was rekindled last Monday night by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi. during a heated debate in the House with Labour MP Joe Mizzi: who alleged that government ministers were not forthcoming with answers to formal PQs.
During the debate, Lawrence Gonzi said that although he condemned ministers being economical with information before the House, he accused the Opposition of wasting Parliamentary time with ridiculous questions.
During this loud exchange, the Prime Minister stressed that he was prepared to face MPs during a Prime Ministerial Question Time in the House that could be held every three weeks.
The proposal was among a series that included an invitation to the Opposition in April 2008 – then led by Alfred Sant - to nominate a Speaker but also called on Labour to agree to ‘pairing’.
In comments to MaltaToday, Opposition leader Joseph Muscat stressed that the PLhad turned down all proposals, on the basis that “any possibility for pairing was exhausted when government bulldozed a Procedural Motion in Parliament.”
The Prime Minister’s Office last night insisted that the invitation had been “ignored” by the Opposition.
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