Somebody has been waiting to get a tomb at the Addolorata Cemetery for the past 15 years, Health Minister Louis Deguara told Labour MP Leo Brincat. The oldest application for a tomb dates from 10 December 1991, the minister said.

339 deaths from smoking

The number of deaths that can be ascribed directly or indirectly to smoking last year rose to 339: 239 males and 100 women, Health Minister Louis Deguara told Labour MP Carmelo Abela.

You have to keep your Maltese name

The director of the Public Registry cannot change Maltese names to foreign ones, Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg told Nationalist MP Mario Galea.

Mr Galea had complained that the Public Registry does not allow the translation of Maltese names to English for certificates that are to be sent abroad and thus Maltese migrants may face problems with the authorities of the foreign countries who may find difficulty in accepting Maltese names.

Development scheme legal notice still being prepared

The legal notice which puts into effect the changes approved by Parliament last July regarding the Development Zones is still being prepared, Rural Affairs and Environment Minister George Pullicino told Labour MP Charles Buhagiar.

The minister blamed the complexity of the issues that had to be tackled such as the planning procedure for these areas, the height limitations and the payments due to infrastructure. These and similar issues have delayed the publication of the legal notice but this is now expected to be published soon.