There are no less than 39 licensed fireworks factories spread all over Malta, Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg told Labour MP Evarist Bartolo.
They are in: Zebbiegh, Ghaxaq, Naxxar, Qrendi, Mgarr, Rabat, Luqa, Burmarrad, Zebbug, Qormi, Lija, Zurrieq, Gudja, Siggiewi, Maghtab, Gharghur, M’Xlokk, B’Kara, Safi, Kercem and Gharb.
And in reply to another question by Mr Bartolo, Dr Borg added that from 1980, 36 people have died as a result of accidents in connection with fireworks.
In an accident which took place on board a patrol boat which was dumping abusive fireworks into the sea, five members of the armed forces had died in 1984.
Residence for former prisoners
Labour MP Chris Agius asked Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina whether any consultation had been carried out with the district MPs, as well as with the Archpriest of Cospicua and the St Theresa friars, prior to deciding to allocate a residence at Cospicua for former inmates of the Corradino prison.
Mrs Cristina replied that her ministry had held a meeting with the local council but she would not think the Archpriest and the St Theresa friars as well as the district MPs would have anything against such a project to house vulnerable people from the same district.
FAIR package
Retail outlets which are joining the FAIR initiative are being given all the package they were offered except for a price gun and a calculator, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told Mr Agius.
Dr Gonzi added there have been delays in finding the right price guns and the calculators. The price guns will now be distributed over the coming weeks and the calculator later on.
As regards the calculators that will be given to the public in general, Dr Gonzi added, NECC will be distributing a newspaper to every home over the coming days in which it will explain what the calculator will consist of. These calculators will be given out by a sponsor which will be announced over the coming days.
Waste charges
Court proceedings have been undertaken against 15 persons charged with waste dumping, Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg told Labour MP Noel Farrugia. Seven of the 15 come from Gozo.
Traffic accidents
In the first half of this year, the police investigated 2,357 traffic accidents in Malta and 85 in Gozo while the local wardens reported 7,351 collisions in Malta and 258 in Gozo, Dr Borg told Mr Farrugia.
Sex offences
In the first half of this year, the police received 16 reports of sex abuses against underage children, Dr Borg told Mr Farrugia.
Domestic violence
In the first half of this year, the police received reports of 153 cases of domestic violence, nine in Gozo, Dr Borg told Mr Farrugia.
Violence on
elderly persons
In the first half of this year, the police received 10 reports of violence committed against elderly persons, Dr Borg told Mr Farrugia.
Park and Ride
from Luxol
Urban Development and Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett confirmed that the Malta Transport Authority, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the Pembroke local council are preparing plans for a Park and Ride project from the Luxol parade ground to Paceville.
The minister was replying to Labour MP Evarist Bartolo. An application has been submitted to Mepa in this regard. The relative tender will be published soon, the minister added.
Presidential
visit postponed
A state visit by the President as well as a visit by a trade delegation to Algeria have been postponed, Foreign Minister Michael Frendo confirmed to Labour MP Leo Brincat after the Algerian authorities asked for the date to be changed and the new suggested date was not considered to be ideal by the Office of the President.
A new date will be decided upon, the minister added.