Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi wrote to Labour leader Alfred Sant yesterday advising him that tomorrow he will be moving in Parliament the appointment of a parliamentary commission to study ways and means of ensuring more transparency in the financing of political parties.

Dr Gonzi told Dr Sant that, in his view, such an issue should be discussed as widely as possible by both those inside the political parties and the country in general.

The prime minister also included the proposed terms of reference of this parliamentary commission, which can also have minority reports.

The proposed commission would aim to set up a transparent system that would be fully and publicly accountable for regulating financial gifts to political parties.

It would be expected to report on the regulation of financial donations by amount, donor, group or activity and where the donation comes from, the definition of political parties, including those not represented in parliament, who is to implement such a proposed system, etc., and the method by which political parties are to publish their audited financial statements.

Dr Gonzi is proposing that the commission should consist of five members: a chairperson and two from each side of the House. The commission would hold its meetings in public and would provide everyone with an opportunity to submit their views.