A total of 1,622 domestic residences in Malta and a further three residences in Gozo have reached an agreement with Water Services Corporation to pay their water and electricity bills on account since they cannot pay the whole bill, Investments Minister Austin Gatt told Labour MP Noel Farrugia.

Irregular immigrant flows

Last year saw the number of irregular immigrants who came to Malta at its highest, with 1,822 coming in just one year.

Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg said that 1,686 came in 2002, 502 in 2003 and 1,388 in 2004.

So far this year, 205 irregular immigrants have come.

The minister was replying a question by Labour MP Adrian Vassallo.

10 policemen hurt

Ten police officers have been hurt due to their work with irregular immigrants from January 2005 to date, Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg told Dr Vassallo.

Two suffered bone fractures while the rest suffered traumas from being hit or being attacked.