Before I go to the other world, may I pay a tribute to the late Sir Paul Boffa and express my view that a small bust be erected in Paola Square, where there is ample space, to this one-time Prime Minister who for about 40 years rendered outstanding services to Malta and our Maltese countrymen.

He is still remembered with respect, as proved by the group of elderly who visited Ta' L-Erwieh Cemetry in Tarxien and placed a bouquet of flowers on his tomb last November.

His public services conferred great benefits and sensible legislation which is now taken for granted - among others the use of the Maltese language in the law courts. It was incredible that proceedings concerning law cases went on in non-Maltese, and the accused more often than not did not properly understand what was being said.

I, like many others, remember him as a fine statesman, affable, honest throughout, and a man with vision. His humanity towards the poor, the sick, lepers and those in dire straits was synonymous with his character. His hard work and leadership when he served as District Commissioner of Paola, Cottonera, Luqa and Tarxien during WWII are still recalled by many in the older age group. It is indeed a shame that the fact that he was created a Knight Bachelor in recognition of outstanding public services is not noted on his monument in Valletta.