Useful website addresses

It would be advisable for The Times correspondents like Massimo Farrugia to quote the address when they refer to an interviewee's website. His useful article on "Social security made simple" led to a frustrating mouse-chase without positive result. He quoted Alan Camilleri, spokesman for the Family and Social Solidarity Ministry, as saying: "By dialling 159 or by visiting the SPIC website, people can now obtain information..."

Sure, but finding the site is easier said than done. A popular search engine gave me a sheaf of options to view press releases on Maltacom's sponsorship of SPIC, not very helpful. The DOI reference page for ministries and departments did not list SPIC but gave me the web address for the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity, www.msp.gov.mt. No link to SPIC was visible on the ministry's home page. A search using the page's own engine yielded short-cuts to reports and speeches, mostly ancient, but no SPIC.

The site map had nothing on SPIC but led me to the Information Management Unit. The IMU had a paragraph of information on what they intend to do with SPIC but no link to a SPIC web page. Since a 24-hour service is on offer, I called 159 to ask for their website address. After a multiplicity of options I was told that their offices are closed, today, March 31. I rest my case.