A taxi driver’s tag was suspended after he was charged in court. But another taxi driver, charged Labour MP Angelo Farrugia in a question to Urban Development and Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett, whose tag was also taken, committed an even more serious crime – he was allegedly drunk while on duty, left people waiting for him at Mdina when he was contracted as their driver for two hours and fought off two ADT officials, but five days later was given back his tag.

Dr Farrugia asked the minister whether this is a case of two weights and two measures.

The minister said he would answer at a later date.

Employees

Mepa has 439 employees and intended to increase this number because of its heavy workload, while Heritage Malta has 263 employees and intends to increase this to 290 in order to offer a

better service to visitors to museums and heritage sites, Ministers George Pullicino and Francis Zammit Dimech told Labour MP Leo Brincat.

Patients sent abroad

The number of Maltese patients who were sent abroad last year for medical reasons was 265, Health Minister Louis Deguara told Labour MP Chris Agius. All the patients were sent to the UK, apart from one, who was sent to Israel. The sum spent on such travel and medical care amounted to Lm502,000.

The future

of St Luke’s

Once the hospital moves to Mater Dei, St Luke’s Hospital will be used temporarily for rehabilitation pending the construction of a new facility that is planned to be built at Luqa. The rest of the St Luke’s site will be handed over to the Lands Department, Health Minister Louis Deguara told Stefan Buontempo.

Hunting licences

There are 11,052 licences for hunting on land, 312 for hunting at sea and 1,234 for the hunting of rabbits, Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg told Mr Agius.

Police tickets

The police had issued 31,452 tickets last year in respect of traffic offences and had booked 704 people for infringements regarding

driving, Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg told Mr Agius.