Sant declares "no confidence" in Speaker

Opposition leader Alfred Sant told the Speaker of the House of Representatives yesterday that he had no confidence in him because he was not protecting the opposition when it asked questions on government actions.

The remark was made following a ruling by the Speaker, Mr Anton Tabone, at the end of a heated exchange during question time between Dr Sant and Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

The incident stemmed from a series of questions which Labour MP Noel Farrugia put to several ministers asking them how much was spent by their ministries and departments and entities within their responsibility over the past three years on reports. He also asked them to specify the reports and to say how many had been tabled in parliament.

The ministers, in a stock reply, asked Mr Farrugia to indicate which reports he was referring to and why he was requesting the information so that they could then decide whether they could justifiably employ resources to collect the required information.

Mr Farrugia in a supplementary question to Transport Minister Censu Galea, said he wanted information on all reports which the ministries had paid for. The opposition, he said, should not be made to plead for information.

Dr Sant asked whether it was the case that if the opposition asked how much a specific report cost, such information was given, but when it asked about all reports, that information was not forthcoming.

Mr Galea said that it was practically impossible to reply to the parliamentary question as put.

Dr Sant insisted on his question.

Mr Galea said he had nothing to add to the original reply given by the ministers.

Dr Sant said the minister had still not said whether ministers would reply to questions on the cost of individual reports.

Mr Galea again read the original reply and said it was clear enough.

Dr Sant asked whether that meant that even when a question was put on a specific report, the ministers would decide whether or not to give information.

Mr Galea said the government`s reply was clear.

Dr Sant said such replies made the opposition suspicious. How would ministers decide whether to give information on specific reports paid for from public funds?

Mr Galea said the most effective way in which parliament could monitor public spending was through the Public Accounts Committee.

Dr Sant said that was not his question.

Mr Galea said he had no further replies.

Dr Sant protested that the minister was refusing to reply to questions on public spending. He should explain why.

Mr Galea said the government had always been forthcoming with information, as the replies to 31,000 parliamentary questions given so far showed. They included questions on spending on reports.

Dr Sant said he stood by his question on how ministers decided whether or not they gave information on public spending on reports. Was the objection centred on reports commissioned outside ministries?

Mr Galea said the original question had been too vague and did not indicate which reports the questioner was referring to.

Dr Gonzi, to whom the original question had been addressed, said the opposition should be specific. It was clear the opposition leader had no specific case in mind and was fishing.

Dr Sant said he was asking about the criteria how the government decided to give information.

Dr Gonzi said Dr Sant had wasted 10 minutes of the time of the House on a fishing expedition which led nowhere and had been aimed at creating suspicion.

Dr Sant demanded that Dr Gonzi withdraw his allegation that he had wasted the time of the House. He had asked precise questions.

Dr Gonzi said he stood by his comment.

Dr Sant asked the Speaker for a ruling on Dr Gonzi`s behaviour.

The Speaker said Dr Gonzi had been giving his opinion.

Dr Sant said he wanted to formally declare he had no confidence in the Speaker because he was not protecting the Opposition when it asked precise questions on government operations.