The following is the full text of Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade's official response to the Throne Speech.

Bermuda has elected a care-taker Government. While it has given a slim majority in number of seats to the United Bermuda Party, less than half (49.97 percent) of the electorate voted for the present Government. On the other hand, 46.41 percent supported the Progressive Labour Party's programmes, policies and candidates Mr. Speaker, instead of the United Bermuda Party Government talking about having a fresh mandate to carry on as before, it is certainly clear that it is the Country's intention that they listen to the Progressive Labour Party's programmes and policies and support these at every opportunity Mr. Speaker, contrary to the post-election hype by the United Bermuda Party and the media, the Progressive Labour Party did not run a campaign based on race. In fact it was the UBP who ran, as usual, a race campaign. The PLP campaign was based on the issues of jobs, education, training and retraining, provisions for the elderly by providing easier access to medical drugs, a review of the entire system of the control and distribution of medical drugs Our focus was on Immigration and Bermudianisation and the need to provide for Bermudians first in every area of employment in Bermuda Mr. Speaker, we promised complete support for the national drug programme as set forward in the Archibald Reports. We promised complete financial support for this programme Mr. Speaker, you may recall that we reiterated our plan, first introduced in 1980, to introduce a National Youth Corps designed to provide careers for all the talents of our young people.

We planned to move post haste in the development of the National Stadium and the facilities designed to provide recreation and wholesome activities for our young people and the Bermuda family.

Mr. Speaker, we promised to strengthen the opportunity for peace in the labour front by beefing up the Labour Advisory Committee and using this institution as a tool in the development of better labour relations.

The redevelopment of our economy to its former status was given top priority during the election campaign. We believe that the increased support we received was due to an adoption of our ideas and programmes despite the negative campaign run by the United Bermuda Party regarding our ability to run the Bermuda economy.

Our intention to review the tax system was adopted by the UBP during the last Budget Debate. We intend to pursue this course of action to ensure that Bermudians get a more equitable tax system while Government is able to raise the funds that it needs to carry out the necessary changes demanded by the electorate.

We promised to strengthen our efforts to attract European tourists. We believe that increased funding of advertising and sales promotion with emphasis on the targeting of special interest groups will be beneficial. We intend to look to the development of a cooperative air charter programme for Europe.

In international business we promised to assist in the removal of much of the red tape that now exists in this sector, especially as it applies to some areas of employment. We planned to provide financial aid for the promotion of those new areas of development through the creation of a Ministry. We intend to persist in encouraging the Government to help promote the industry so that more Bermudians benefit from the industry.

Mr. Speaker, we have always had a strong belief in the importance of the family and those in need of assistance in our community. We set out plans to overhaul the social assistance programme, and to introduce a contributory unemployment insurance plan to assist the unemployed hit by the continuing recession and to help those caught up in the seasonal nature of our tourist industry.

We planned a review of the housing allowance programme so that it meets the needs of its clients.

Mr. Speaker, we believe that the environment must be protected while we provide for the orderly development of our Country. We intended to review the whole question of the fishpot ban and to assist fishermen by implementing those areas of the report which encouraged the setting up of fishing cooperatives.

Our canvassing made it clear to us that Bermudians wanted a return to the two-day a week garbage collection and further assistance with lighting of private roads.

Mr. Speaker, further steps are required in dealing with transportation in Bermuda. Our intention was to provide for further extension of the mini-bus scheme and the universal use of private motor cars.

We felt the need to investigate the whole area of telecommunications and technology to see how Bermuda could further develop its already highly developed communication industry and benefit from the new opportunities which exist in this area.

Mr. Speaker, we have maintained a strong interest in the future of the United States Naval Bases in Bermuda. Before and during the campaign we took steps to acquaint our friends in the United States with our understanding of the problems associated with the closure of the United States Base in Bermuda.

To our horror, despite thousands of taxpayers' dollars spent on lobbyists and frequent trips by the Premier to the US, members of Congress had not been briefed by Bermuda on the one key point, i.e., that closure of the Base meant the closure of our civil airport -- the lifeline to our twin industries of tourism and international business.

Mr. Speaker, we have tabled a motion which we hope will allow the House of Assembly to fully debate all of the areas of concern which will result from the base wind-down or full closure.

We have had much discussion on the civil airport, but to date such areas as education, employment and the specific impact on St. George's and St. David's have not been fully debated.

Constitutionally we called for reforms to our voter registration system, the parish councils and the electoral system. We intend to persist in these areas.

In fact we have already set down parliamentary motions to implement two of these programmes.

Mr. Speaker, we believe that the restructuring of the schools should begin at the lower end of the school system. The school entrance age would be lowered to four years and sufficient public pre-schools would be created to give each child a head start. We would give the Child Development Programme permanent status.

Mr. Speaker, I have set out above those areas from our platform that would have received top priority and would have been highlighted in our own Throne Speech.

Mr. Speaker, we have examined the Government's Throne Speech, and while there are some 31 areas repeated from the so-called "Blueprint'', the Speech clearly lacks the motivation necessary to inspire Bermudians to become involved in the process of full participation in our society economically, socially and politically.

Government's thrust since the election, even in its creation simply of new ministers and ministries, indicates a preoccupation with race when Bermudians want fair play and equal opportunities whether in the areas of race, sex or age.

Mr. Speaker, we know where the community expects Government emphasis, and have said so. At the same time the new ministry of Human Affairs has very fundamental and specific tasks to carry out. While we do not intend a preoccupation with race, we intend to push the present Government to its limits in this area.

RACE RELATIONS -- HUMAN AFFAIRS The Government has formed a new Ministry to deal with discrimination in the community. As a consequence a race relations division will be established in this new Ministry. Government intends for the race relations division to be a part of the Human Rights Commission.

We in the Progressive Labour Party feel that the proposed race relations division should be given the importance that it deserves and not to be made a part of the Human Rights Commission. In our view the race relations division should be an entity in and of itself. It should be given the necessary support and authority on its own accord.

We must not confuse discrimination with racism. The Human Rights Commission currently deals with individual complaints under the Act. Racism is a system and a mindset. If we are to succeed in eliminating racial discrimination from our current system we must address the institutions that perpetuate racism.

We fear that if the proposed race relations division is undermined, it is destined to fail. In this regard we are sceptical of Government's intention to form yet another task force whose objective is "designed to evaluate all impediments to equal opportunity''. The public is fed up with the "task force'' form of Government exercised by the United Bermuda Party, and used as a surrogate for action. We are fed up with reports and paper. We need action.

The elimination of racial discrimination must not be left to chance.

DRUGS Government is committed to having the Commission for the National Drugs Strategy in place by year's end. We in the Progressive Labour Party are rearing to go with our names for the Commission. We are waiting for the Premier to get back to us as a result of a recent meeting held to discuss the matter.

We trust that the Commission will be given the resources to function effectively and not be dependent on funding from charities. The proposed national drug rehabilitation facility will need to be funded along with any treatment programmes. To date we have not heard a word about treatment. How many addicts have been helped to date? When can we expect some results? The St. David's pilot programme has been hailed as the drug prevention scheme that will be expanded to encompass the entire Island. According to the National Drugs Strategy mandate, a community has to express an interest in eradicating drugs from their area. Our sources inform us that this was not the case, but rather the current Honourable Member from St. George's South, Mr.

Richard Spurling , set up some less than spontaneous meetings. We would like a report from the Member as to what exactly is happening with this scheme.

PARISH COUNCILS We in the Progressive Labour Party have long believed that the Parish Councils should be an elected body with broader powers in their respective communities.

Currently they have been rendered ineffective, and much energy will be needed to get them back on track.

EDUCATION Mr. Speaker, it has been five years since Government laid out its policies for education reform. Since we began talking about education reform, we have had four generations of students (1987-1990) begin primary school. These students, Mr. Speaker, will finish high school without benefiting from any changes intended to be instituted to correct problems which were identified within the current education system.

Mr. Speaker, we have entered an age in which education is not a luxury, permitting some an advantage over others ... it has become a necessity without which a person is defenseless in this complex, technological society.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot disagree with the statement that "If young people are to seize the opportunities of the future, then our education system must improve significantly''. Indeed, it is only through public education for all that equal opportunity is available to all. But, in order for us to understand the purpose and content of the educational process, we must know how and why the school system functions as it does. This means the education of the young people of our country must be the result of a cooperative effort of us all. We cannot ask teachers and students to do it alone. But in order to cooperate, we must understand what is to be done.

Mr. Speaker, the lack of details from Government concerning its educational reform plans is abysmal. Oh, yes, we know about school buildings and plans for the number of middle schools and the number of high schools but nothing about the curriculum and the method or methods of teaching.

Mr. Speaker, what is lacking in the Throne Speech and has been lacking throughout this process of educational reform, are any details of how the system will be improved "significantly''.

Mr. Speaker, a promise made repeatedly and again last year, is the promise of a new Education Act to replace the 1954 Act. This promise has not been kept .

. . even though we were promised that this new Act -- we were told -- "would make it easier to understand certain concepts that we (Government) plan to introduce''. Without this Act, and without any details from Government, we are left in the dark as to exactly what -- other than new buildings -- is planned for the new education system.

Mr. Speaker, not only does this Throne Speech contain no mention of a new Education Act, but it does not even promise a white paper on education which we have called for in this House numerous times.

Mr. Speaker, "unfortunate'' is too soft a word to describe the fact that generations of Bermudians school children have already been denied the "equality of opportunity'' which this Government talks about. More than half of our students are enrolled at secondary modern schools, and many of them graduate with diplomas which cannot even guarantee them entry into Bermuda's own college. This does not include those students who drop out between primary school and high school graduation.

Mr. Speaker, hundreds of Bermudian school children have not been able to take advantage of the Bermuda College because their high schools did not prepare them adequately, and hundreds more will be placed in this position until the changes we are now discussing are put into place.

Mr. Speaker, without detailed plans for the changes envisioned for education, we, the public, are not sure whether the plans and the education they will provide are the education that we need and want. This is demonstrated by the fact that many parents are willing to take on extra jobs and extra financial responsibility to ensure that their children are accepted at private school rather than stay in the public education system. Government must recognise that parents want to know exactly what is planned.

By international standards, Bermuda spends extravagantly on public education ... but the question is: "Are we getting our money's worth?'' The answer is obvious from the fact that we are planning changes ... but in the meantime, we are losing not only students, but the faith of the very public that we hope to serve.

Mr. Speaker, telling people that we are "Striving for Excellence'' or "Making every child a winner'' is not enough. What is needed is a clear statement of educational goals and how these will be attained.

Mr. Speaker, we recognise that vocational training must be expanded and modernised. We also recognise that the best vocational education occurs in companies (witness the Bermuda Electric Light Company Programme and the Bermuda Cable and Wireless Programme) and thus, we welcome the announcement that Government will be looking to private business for input in this area. We will be watching closely to see how this initiative develops.

Whilst Government's promise of an education foundation that will supply additional funds for further education is welcomed, we realise that what Bermuda needs is a system that will ensure that all of our students will become productive members of society. We hope that Government recognises that setting up a separate body to provide financial help for further education will not eliminate the perception that scholarships are given to students who do not need them ... nor will it balance the perception that financial help is given to students who do not need it. The public wants to see a clear policy for scholarships and financial aid that is based both on need and academic qualification.

Mr. Speaker, needless to say, we are reassured that Government intends to follow through on its commitment to the Bermuda College, even though this commitment last year saw them provide funds for an additional building ... but no funds for its upkeep. Mr. Speaker, we have a new College Library ... but no funds for books. So, we hope this commitment to the consolidation of the Bermuda College Campus recognises that in addition to capital expenditure on the necessary buildings, they also need operating funds to provide the lecturers, support staff and maintenance necessary.

Mr. Speaker, our Shadow Minister for Education has already placed questions concerning Government's assertion that around 60 percent of our students go on to higher education. While we too are proud of the students who are able to do so, we recognise the contribution made by their parents and people like our Member from Hamilton East, Rev. Trevor Woolridge , who ensure that our young people are not turned off by rejection and the inability to win either Scholarships or entrance to the local college.

Mr. Speaker, education will be expounded on further by the Shadow Minister.

FINANCE The PLP vision offers a new beginning -- a change to rebuild. Our vision is to offer our young people a future, a belief that diligence, hard work and education and their family's sacrifice will be rewarded.

Our vision encompasses an economic strategy which is geared to maximise the returns -- to making Government more efficient and effective so that this Island's income-generating potential increases while at the same time not neglecting the very human face of unmet needs. That will be the guiding principle of a PLP Government. Our plan, our programmes and our policies will be to mark a New Beginning -- a strategy of putting people first.

Economic growth which benefits only a limited segment of the community is not economic fairness. A PLP Government will do its utmost to dispel such an unacceptable and intolerable concept.