Only those doctors who have graduated from the University of Malta and who want to get a warrant from the Medical Council have to work for two years as house physicians in the national health service, Health Minister Louis Deguara told Labour MP Carmelo Abela.

Any doctor can choose not to serve in Malta and get his warrant from another country. This is possible in those countries where the medical course in Malta is recognised, the minister said.

EU mobility rules permit a doctor to move to another country on graduation, without the need for any authorisation.

Cooperative gets direct orders

Koptasin, the cooperative that designs and does traffic signs, got most of the orders placed by the government for traffic signs, Urban Development and Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett told Labour MP Joe Mizzi.

In 2005, direct orders amounted to Lm247,000 while orders by tender amounted to just Lm15,000. Last year, direct orders amounted to Lm136,000 and orders by tender to Lm85,000.

730 prostitution charges, 102 charged

During 2006, a total of 102 people were arraigned on 730 charges of prostitution, Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg told Labour MP Adrian Vassallo. Six people were arraigned on charges relating to living off immoral earnings.

Education figures

There are 38,291 students in government schools, 16,735 in Church schools and 7,314 in private schools.

These are taught by 3,263 teachers in government schools, 1,093 in Church schools and 484 teachers in private schools.

Education Minister Louis Galea was replying to Dr Vassallo.

The minister also said that 11 of the 31 private schools in Malta have recently raised their fees.