The only motion set for debate was put forward by Senate Opposition Leader Sen. Milton Scott.

It calls on the Upper Chamber to support elected Parish Councils with enhanced powers.

Sen. Scott said Government had expressed support for participatory democracy and a return to elected Parish Councils would be a move in that direction. The legislation that created Parish Councils gave them many responsibilities they did not perform.

Elected Parish Vestries, created in 1929, were replaced with appointed Parish Councils in 1971.

"I will be putting it into a historical perspective,'' Sen. Scott told The Royal Gazette yesterday. "There is a history that is unique probably to Bermuda as to why Parish Vestries were abolished.

"It was a training ground, basically, for politicians.'' Government Senate Leader the Hon. Michael Winfield said the Senate would meet again on Friday to deal with legislation passed last week by the House of Assembly. Then it would break for Christmas.

Government's position on Parish Councils was set out in the United Bermuda Party Blueprint, as well as the Throne Speech, Sen. Winfield said. A review of Parish Councils under Human Affairs Minister the Hon. Jerome Dill was promised in the Throne Speech.

The Blueprint was more specific. It said Government would examine the role of Parish Councils "to change emphasis to one of support for recreational, cultural, educational, drug prevention and other community-driven activities.'' The 12-member councils once played an investigative role with respect to social assistance applications. They were later reduced mainly to cheque-issuing bodies and recently lost that role too.

Until 1971, councils collected a portion of property taxes and had responsibility for street lighting, garbage collection, district nursing, and weights and measures.

Sen. Milton Scott.