A Senate story in yesterday's newspaper incorrectly reported Sen. the Hon.

Maxwell Burgess saying Government's policy put non-Bermudians first. The story should have said the policy put Bermudians first.

Opposition Senate Leader Sen. Alex Scott brought new allegations of work permit offences to the Senate floor yesterday -- prompting a complaint from the Government Senate Leader that he should take his claims to the Immigration Department first.

Sen. Scott said a young Bermudian returning to the Island had complained to him that he had applied for an advertised job for which he was well qualified -- only to be told that there was no such job available.

The young Bermudian was well qualified for the job that was advertised, but the employment agency that placed the ad in this newspaper did not even want to see his resume.

"This is not the way you welcome Bermudians into the economy,'' Sen. Scott said.

He said a hotel had recently brought in two carpet "specialists'' for a sizable job, but they just put down carpet like a normal carpet layer available in Bermuda.

He said the Immigration Department was not doing its job on behalf of Bermudians. "The horror stories are still very much out there.'' The public wants the Immigration Department to be more active. "Abuses are taking place and we don't see correction of those abuses.'' Sen. Maxwell Burgess (UBP), the Parliamentary Secretary for Labour and Immigration, said it was difficult or impossible for the Ministry to confirm such allegations unless information is shared with it.

"It's not unreasonable for one to wonder whether or not Sen. Scott is interested in having the matters resolved.'' The Ministry has been vigilant, he said. That doesn't mean that people don't act outside of the law or Government policy. "But when this happens, Government does try to correct it.

"...The Ministry's policy is to put non-Bermudians first, and it is grateful for anyone who shows it where abuse is taking place.'' He said Senators have an obligation to confirm information before they publicise is. "No useful purpose will be served by trying to pit the Bermudian worker against the non-Bermudian. ...I'm frustrated by these nebulous reports.'' Senate Leader the Hon. Michael Winfield said he did not believe the Senate's motion to adjourn was the best place to lodge initial complaints about specific immigration cases.

The Ministry of Labour & Home Affairs was the place to go. If that didn't work, then the Minister himself or the Parliamentary Secretary should be brought in.

For instance, last week Sen. Scott brought to the Senate the complaints of a woman who was dissatisfied with the way she was treated by a potential employer. "The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs has followed that matter up, and I have seen evidence that they have followed up,'' he said.

"The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs is determined to fulfil its mandate to protect and enhance job opportunities for Bermudians.'' Sen. Jerome Dill (UBP) said Government "is in fact committed to Bermudianisation''. He said he shared the frustration that, as the century drew to a close, more had not been accomplished and that Bermudianisation and racism were still issues.

But he encouraged people to look how improvements can be made, rather than get bogged down in the past. "We can say: That is our history -- where do we go from here?'' Sen. Ira Philip (PLP) complained that the Island's race problems had been over-simplified.

Listening to Sen. Burgess, he said, one got the impression that immigration problems were isolated ones. But they were not. Sen. Scott received "abusive reactions'' from Immigration Department officers. What else was he to do but bring the complaints to the Senate? The Opposition Senators would do what was necessary to get results.

Sen. Trevor Woolridge (PLP), a taxi driver, complained of traffic problems in Hamilton during the parades on May 25 and on Monday. The Police were doing a good job, but those directing traffic were apparently not communicating with each other and he received conflicting directions.

As a result, he was forced to drive far out of the way -- especially on May 25 -- and the trip became increasingly expensive for his passengers.

Sen. Hollis praised the Police work on May 25 and on Monday and said he experienced no such problems.