proposals for tackling pollution at the former US Naval Annex.

According to the Development and Opportunity Minister and the Environment Minister, the US has suggested that the area at Morgan's Point where US oil storage tanks were located should be fenced off, and development allowed to proceed around it.

This proposal seems to take no account of the risks that the tanks would pose if they began to leak oil into the underground fresh water lens, or into the sea, where some leakage has already been detected.

While the Ministers state that there has been no sign of leakage into the lens at this stage, there is no room for complacency, and Government and the British Foreign Office need to redouble their efforts to reach an agreement on this issue.

The whole situation is starting to feel like a gruesome Catch-22. The US Government has stated that it does not believe that it has any responsibility to clean up the bases unless there is an imminent danger. Bermuda could claim that it faces an imminent danger if the fresh water lenses began to be contaminated and the US would then presumably act.

But by then, it could well be too late; the lens would be damaged, possibly permanently and the cost of any clean-up would presumably be much higher than it is now. Why not close the stable door before the horse bolts? Pay the fine EDT Acting Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner's announcement that he and fellow Magistrate Edward King are likely to move rigorously to enforce the collection of fines is to be welcomed.

With more than $2 million in fines outstanding from Magistrates' Court cases, a crackdown is long overdue.

Court observers have long seen people convicted of crimes and traffic offences ask for time to pay and then walk out of court.

Clearly, if $2 million in fines has not been paid, many of those people never return to court. Collection then becomes exceptionally difficult for the overworked bailiff's department which faces an ever-increasing backlog of unpaid fines and warrants.

Mr. Warner said: "Clearly what's been happening is people have been contemptuously refusing to comply.

"Certainly in my view where there is no good excuse, then the person has got to pay the fine forthwith or serve the default.'' Mr. Warner has issued his warning to the public and the public should heed him; the next time that you go to court, take your cheque book.