Public land may be auctioned in the future.
Leader of the House Tonio Borg told the members of the House Business Committee yesterday that the government is urging the passing of this bill with a certain urgency as the parliamentary policy it seeks to substitute runs out 9 November.
Dr Borg was giving the HBC members an idea of the parliamentary schedule for the coming weeks.
Other items which require urgent parliamentary approval are a resolution transferring government land to Malta Air Traffic Services and, if possible, the transfer of the Chambray property.
Parliament yesterday ended its discussion of the National Archives Bill and this, having the Presidential address, will be discussed at committee stage in the full House, along with the Mediation Bill.
Dr Borg also said the government wants to pass through Parliament, either before the Budget Speech or before the end of the year, the bill amending the Local Councils Act.
Consultations are being held with the opposition, the local councils and their association with regard to this bill, Dr Borg said.
All those concerned want to have an idea what will happen next year: if there is agreement to hold the local council election next year, they will all want to know about it. At the same time, they will all want to be informed if the election is not being held next year, he said.
For the opposition, Joe Mizzi insisted that the opposition motion on the forensic lab should be discussed soon.
This caught Dr Borg by surprise because he was under the impression, he said, that the situation had been resolved.
Three people had refused to move over to the National Forensic Lab, as a result of which there was for a time a situation with two forensic labs operating in Malta, under two different ministries.
Now these three people have accepted to join the National Lab with a special contract.
Mr Mizzi told Dr Borg that the two sides will hold informal discussions today regarding this issue.
As regards the yearly estimates of the various public authorities, these will be discussed soon after the accounts are tabled in the House.
Dr Borg also announced an agreement had been reached regarding MP concessions and MEPs. A directive has been issued by the Office of the Prime Minister in this regard, stating that all MPs’ concessions are to be extended to MEPs except when they get the same concessions from the European Parliament. The most notable exceptions, therefore, are the Air Malta free fares and the Gozo Channel concessions. MEPs will thus get free parking, free Internet service and the use of the VIP lounge.
Meanwhile, it was announced that the Malta Gay Rights Movement has requested the use of Parliament for a Youth Parliament sitting next August.
Concluding, the Speaker asked what progress had been registered between the two parties on the amendments to the Standing Orders.
Dr Borg and opposition deputy leader Charles Mangion confirmed that discussions have been going on between the two sides since summer and some government proposals are now being considered by the opposition, which is preparing its counter-proposals. Dr Borg hopes to report progress by the next sitting.
The next HBC meeting will discuss the Ombudsplan for next year.