Party's refusal to take part in many Government committees and task forces.

Speaking on the motion to adjourn at the end of Friday's meeting of the House of Assembly, Mr. Wade said those who criticised the PLP's refusal to participate misunderstood the Opposition's constitutional role.

"The United Bermuda Party was elected to govern the Country,'' Mr. Wade said.

"The Government may do that in any way that's acceptable to them and to the Country.

"Our job is to examine their policy, to criticise or support them, and to put forward our own policy.'' Some things may be "above politics'', Mr. Wade said, such as the Drug Strategy issue. But on other issues, such as the task force on competitiveness, the story is different.

This isn't just a peculiarity of the PLP, he said. "I can't imagine (British Labour Party leader) Neil Kinnock sitting on a committee to look at the British economy right now that (Prime Minister) John Major was going to chair.'' The Opposition must remain free to fulfil its duty as an Opposition, to examine and criticise Government plans and policies, and to put forward its own ideas. "If we abandon our role, where is the democracy? It's a dictatorship then.'' Mr. Wade also sought to show the House what he means when he complains that he is not properly consulted by Government over appointments. He read a letter from the Premier about a suggested appointee to the Human Rights Commission.

The letter concluded: "I'd appreciate you letting me know if you have any objections.'' But the letter didn't explain who the nominee was, Mr. Wade complained, and offered no real discussion. If he objected to the nominee and offered another suggestion, Mr. Wade said, he knew from his experience that nothing would happen and the original nominee would get the job.

The Opposition, he complained was "treated with contempt''.

Dr. David Dyer (UBP) complained that Mr. Wade had no right to demand consultation while at the same time refusing to participate in committees and task forces.

"When consultation was requested, none was forthcoming,'' he said. "You can't have it both ways. I'd suggested in future that when members of the Opposition are invited to take part in things of national importance, they should willingly give their services.'' The Opposition would not authorise its members to take part in the initial Drug Strategy task force, he pointed out.

"This was probably the most far-reaching and important issue this Country has had to face, yet I still haven't seen any effort by members of the Opposition to willingly come about and move in a positive direction when they are invited.'' With summer approaching, Miss Jennifer Smith (PLP) said she is concerned about the programmes and jobs available for children on vacation.

There are 11,028 children under 19 in Bermuda, she said, but just two Government programmes available: The Summer Teen Camp and a swimming programme. There is also a one-day "Island Jam'', she said, and a "Theatre Road Show'' that lasts just a few days.

There are more programmes like camps available for children under 12, she said, but they do not have enough places. The average cost for privately-run programmes is between $300 and $400 a month, she said -- particularly hard to afford in the current economic climate.

Parents who can't afford a private programme and can't get places for their children in Government programmes must leave their children at home, she said, typically in the care of an older child.

"Something needs to be done,'' she said.

Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons said the Department of Youth & Sport is aware of the situation, and said it is being addressed by the new Minister, Sen. Pamela Gordon.

Shadow Health & Social Services Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome complained that Age Concern had been told it would not get a Government grant this year. He said other emergency housing has a high proportion of senior citizens: The need is there.

Mr. Bascome said it was of "grave concern to our Country'' that, according to a The Royal Gazette business section article, banks are seizing property and foreclosing on mortgages. "If your financial institutions can't look out for the people of Bermuda in these times, who can look out for them?'' Mr. Eugene Blakeney (PLP) wanted to discuss a recent Attorney General's decision not to prosecute a policeman whose car struck a pedestrian. Speaker the Hon. David Wilkinson suggested he wait before raising the issue, because private legal action was apparently being contemplated.

Health & Social Service Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness criticised Mr.

Bascome's criticism of the banks. He said he is no blind defender of the banks, but in this case criticism was "unfair and unwarranted. These institutions have bent over backwards and are continuing to help people hang on to their property.

"I'm personally aware of the numbers of people the banks have assisted, by refinancing, so they don't lose their homes.'' He said his department works closely with Age Concern, and the grant mentioned by Mr. Bascome had been used to hire a part-time person. It was known by Age Concern from the beginning that the grant was likely to end.

"The programme is still going, the relationship between Age Concern and Government is still a good one.'' He said Government has had to slow spending because of the recession, and said "Government won't allow the Opposition to push it into over-spending....We have to cut back and we have to slow down.'' At the same time, he said, Government realises "there are still people in the community who need assistance, both from the state and from their neighbours.'' Shadow Tourism Minister Mr. David Allen said he was concerned to read comments from the Tourism Minister that the Tourism Department was not advertising earlier this year because "the market was not there''.

He said the British Broadcasting Corporation had reported a record number of North American visitors in Britain in February.

"This proves beyond a doubt that in fact people were travelling in those early months of the year...and if we had put more advertising dollars out there we could have reaped the benefits.'' Labour Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman said there has been much talk by MPs about people in disadvantaged situations, and the need for Government to do more and more.

Government must do more, he said, "but people must recognise their own responsibilities''.