Opposition deputy leader Charles Mangion asked the Prime Minister to confirm that a military plane recently landed at MIA during the night. Dr Mangion wanted to know why this landing took place and who were the people on it.

Dr Lawrence Gonzi replied that from time to time the Foreign Affairs Ministry permits military planes to land in Malta during the day and night.

The reasons for such landing could vary from technical reasons, refuelling, landing something for a foreign embassy in Malta and carrying VIPs and official delegations to and from Malta.

Dr Gonzi invited Dr Mangion to provide him with more details about such a landing so that he could pass them on to the Foreign Ministry.

Concern over Xemxija pavements

Labour MP Evarist Bartolo asked Urban Development and Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett why the pavement in the Xemxija Hill is being constructed so wide that the roadway has been narrowed considerably and if fire engines, ambulances or police cars need to pass by in an emergency, the other cars do not have enough space to make way for them.

Mr Mugliett replied he will answer in some other sitting.

Passageway closed

MP Joseph Sammut wanted to know whether the Lands Department has issued any permit to allow the owners of a house that has been pulled down next to the Menqa in St Paul’s Bay to take over a passageway that “from time immemorial” has existed in this site.

Dr Sammut pointed out that the passageway is so narrow that pedestrians who pass through it risk being hit by cars.

Justice Minister Tonio Borg said the Lands Department has carried out an inspection in the place indicated by Dr Sammut to investigate the case further.