Updated | Shadow minister lambasts ‘state of home affairs’ for his pyrotechnics lobby

Updated with Ministry of Home Affairs statement at 3:55pm

Labour MP Michael Falzon, the shadow home affairs minister, has taken to task the Office of the Prime Minister's handling of home affairs because the results of examinations for Licence 'B' manufacturers of fireworks are still pending.

Falzon is the legal representative and spokesperson for the Malta Pyrotechnics Society, which represents fireworks manufacturers.

"After the resignation of the minster for justice and home affairs, and since the interior was passed on to the Prime Minister, the deterioration inside this ministry is just getting worse," Falzon said in a statement. "An example of this is the pending results for the Licence 'B' exams."

According to Falzon, the results are for exams which took place in March, with resits for June.

"There are hundreds of Maltese and Gozitans who are suffering because of this delay, especially now that the festa season has passed and work on fireworks production starts for the next summer. Additionally, the immediate issuance of these results is necessary to ensure better regulation in this sector in which our country excels in," Falzon said.

"This failure, amongst many other failures, is the direct responsibility of the prime minister who is responsible for home affairs.”

Reacting to Falzon’s statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs accused the shadow minister of "cheap political mileage" when accusing the OPM’s office of delaying examination results for the Licence ‘B’ exams. “Michael Falzon knew full well that results started being sent out today.”

The ministry said this was the first time that written exams had to be conducted for this licence which included an extensive course covering subjects such as chemistry, accident prevention, the legal framework of the sector and first aid, among others.

“These exams are the result of reforms being carried out in this sector which will improve standards and security in the manufacturing of fireworks.”

Contrary to Falzon’s claims, the ministry said that the majority of candidates attending the course already had a Licence ‘D’ allowing them to enter their respective fireworks factories as stipulated by law. “This means that factories continued to produce fireworks on a daily basis while results were being compiled. Exam resits will be held in November,” the ministry said.