Economy Minister Chris Cardona did not keep his promise to table in Parliament a list of persons related to his Chief of Staff who were given government employment, the Opposition has said.

It was explained that the Minister was still in a meeting in Castille and thus was unable to be in Parliament this evening.

At this point, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici argued that the Minister promised to do so if he would receive a written PQ, however Deputy Speaker Censu Galea had said that this would have gone against Standing Orders.

Dr Fenech Adami asked if the code of ethics for Ministers tackles the employment of family members, to which Minister Bonnici explained that it does, however is more lenient with the families of those within the Secretariat. He added that the guidelines are the same as those tabled by former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

The Justice Minister argued the need to stop attacking people on the basis of their family members, arguing that they should be judged on their skills.