House as Senators used the final session to squeeze in their last political jibes.

UBP Sen. Allan Marshall told the Upper House that the Government had done a lot over the past year and highlighted various programmes put forward by the UBP including the Children's Act 1998 and the National Pensions Scheme.

"We have delivered in the last year,'' he added.

But Sen. Marshall also gave recognition to the PLP's contributions to the legislation, pointing out that they had a role to play in the achievements as the Opposition party.

And he said he hoped that over the summer break, the PLP would outline their policies for Bermudians and how much they will cost.

PLP Senator Terry Lister said that the PLP would pay for their policies with the funds that were already being collected, via taxes, by the current Government.

"The money will come from where it always does,'' he said.

Government Senate Leader E.T. (Bob) Richards said Sen. Lister's comment that the PLP would tax people the same as the UBP did was a "non-statement''.

"People know the tax policy of the UBP but don't know how the PLP will do it.'' Sen. Lawrence Scott (UBP) echoed his colleague's comments and claimed that the PLP were "afraid'' to come forward with policies.

But Sen. Lister pointed out that the PLP always announced their policies after an election was called and will do so again as soon as the upcoming election was announced.

"Set the date and accept your fate,'' he quipped.

Sen. Neletha Butterfield (PLP) attacked Government for its record on education.

She pointed out that CedarBridge Academy had a graduation rate of only 60 percent, with just 210 students out of 344 passing their final exams.

"Headteacher Ernest Payette and the staff work extremely hard at CedarBridge,'' she said. "They are also some of the only people with the guts to tell us exactly what's going on in our education system.

"But 60 percent isn't good. It's poor by any standard.'' Sen. Angelita Fox (UBP) said she was "very proud'' to have spent her first term in the Upper Chamber.

Then she said: "But I won't see you again -- I'll be in the House of Assembly next time!'' Sen. Fox, standing in the PLP-held Hamilton East in the General Election, defended Government's education record but admitted there was "room for improvement''.

"I'm not happy that there's only a 60 percent graduation rate at Cedarbridge,'' she said. "We need to push for 100 percent. But the Government is doing things. We are reviewing the curriculum.

"We have also heard the voices of parents.'' Community Affairs Minister Sen. Yvette Swan rounded off the Senate session by saying the UBP Government had improved the quality of life for Bermudian families.

She added that Government had introduced "equal work for equal pay'' and brought in pioneering new laws against stalking and domestic violence.

Senate President Alf Oughton took the opportunity to wish Senators who will be running in the next General Election well in their campaigns and said that if elected they would enrich the Lower House.

"If the election is called before the next session, several senators may be going to the House of Assembly,'' he said. "I wish you luck.'' Sen. Walwyn Hughes (Ind) echoed the Senate President's comments and made light of the fact that he had no aspirations to become an MP.

Meanwhile, Sen. Jeanette Cannonier (Ind) thanked her colleagues for the "help and direction'' they had given her.

Senate debates Sea-Land bail-out: Page 6