The number of illegal immigrants who have arrived in Malta this year had reached 1,501 by the end of August, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told Labour MP Adrian Vassallo.

The highest number – 642 – arrived in June, while none had arrived in January or March.

Dr Gonzi also said that, meanwhile, 676 illegal immigrants have been deported, 405 of whom had come to Malta by sea.

In another reply, Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg said that 285 people had been found to be illegal immigrants between January and August and of these, 271 had already been repatriated.

births to single mothers

A total of 318 babies have been born to single mothers between January and the end of July, Justice Minister Tonio Borg told Labour MP Chris Cardona.

Paceville crimes

A total of 392 crimes are alleged to have taken place in Paceville between January and August. The crimes ranged from voluntary damage to drug-taking, sexual offences to theft. Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg was replying to Labour MP Chris Cardona.

1,254 working

without permission

The Law Compliance unit of the ETC carried out 2,985 inspections between January and July and interviewed 4,820 people and 1,254 people, 81 of whom were foreign, were found to be working without permission. 123 of the Maltese found working without permit were also registering as unemployed.

No VAT exemption for fireworks factories

Fireworks factories may not be exempted from VAT, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told Labour MP Leo Brincat. Dr Gonzi adduced an EU directive for this policy decision.

MTA CHAIRMAN AND CEO

While the new MTA chairman receives a remuneration of Lm4,000 for his duties, the new CEO has a remuneration package of Lm36,000 plus a perform-ance bonus, a car, free phone and medical insurance, Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech told Leo Brincat.