racial hiring records.

And "affirmative action'' to ensure large private companies boost promotion prospects for blacks may be considered.

That was the view yesterday of Shadow Environment Minister Mr. Julian Hall.

Ways forward included: Increasing black participation in shareholding; and Apprenticeship schemes to increase black confidence they can reach the top.

Mr. Hall said action was needed to ensure blacks are given the same chance as equally qualified whites.

But Mr. Hall firmly ruled out "tokenism'' -- a black being promoted to the board because of his colour.

That would be disastrous, and encourage further racism.

A PLP Government could not, however, rule out direct intervention or "affirmative action'' to break down the barriers of institutionalised racism, said Mr. Hall.

It was totally unacceptable, for instance, for the Bank of Bermuda to have no black executives.

The House of Assembly recently spent three days debating the Judge Tumim report on Bermuda's criminal justice system with the focus mainly on institutionalised racism.

Government has vowed to tackle institutionalised racism.

But Mr. Hall cast doubt on whether the UBP had a clear line of attack on the problem.

"I don't think they really know what they are going to do,'' he said.

"It has taken them 30 years to actually recognise it exists.'' Mr. Hall said a change in attitudes was crucial in wiping out institutionalised racism.

And Government could play a role in helping bringing this about.

It would be wrong to sit back and just hope Bermuda's large institutions, like the Bank of Bermuda, will change.

"Consideration will have to be made to ensure this, directly or indirectly, through some form of affirmative action at the top of large Bermudian private employers over a period of time.

"Hopefully it will be indirect means rather than legislative means.'' Mr. Hall said, however, the PLP had not chrystall all its policies on tackling institutionalised racism.

Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade last night said the PLP supported giving the Human Rights Commission teeth to tackle racism.

The commission should be empowered to launch investigations into complaints of racism.

"There should be no interference from Government,'' said Mr. Wade.

Mr. Wade foresaw possible difficulties in ensuring blacks and white are proportionately represented on a company board.