I would like to clarify what was written in your editorial ‘Benefit of the doubt?’ (TMID, 6 October). I appreciate that you commented on some of my remarks in Parliament, however in the debate I did not say that those who received social benefits in access should not give back that part they were not entitled for.

What I said was that the department needs to pay more attention when granting a social benefit to avoid these unpleasant circumstances. I emphasized the fact that some of these persons in the meantime might have problems in paying back these benefits due to a change in their circumstances for worse.

Of course I am aware that social benefits are paid from our taxes and this was something that I mentioned in my speech. I also condemned abuse and we should never defend it.

I hope that this clarifies what I really said in my speech during the debate on social services.

Carmelo Abela

Labour MP