to what the Premier's position was on the controversial composting site opposite Victor Scott School.

And he rapped Works Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira for dismissing Pembroke East residents' complaints as "utter nonsense''.

Mr. Hall said the Hon. Sir John Swan appeared to have made two "starkly contrasting'' statements about the compost dump.

"What I am trying to understand is how the Premier could after one visit confirm the (composting site) was creating foul smells and apologise to residents and promise to address their concerns, and then on the next visit claim there was no smell at all,'' Mr. Hall said.

The MP was referring to Sir John's admission after his first visit to the site on Saturday that there did seem to be a smell in the area.

Promising to "take a very hard look'' at the problem, Sir John further said: "I would like to extend an apology to the people of Pembroke East and Pembroke East Central if composting is affecting their daily lives.'' However, after his second visit to the site on Monday afternoon with Dr.

Terceira, he concluded there was no smell.

"I don't smell anything,'' he said after sniffing and inspecting several clods of compost. He said he could not see any cockroaches or flies either.

Both Sir John and Dr. Terceira blamed the Pembroke Dump above the site for any smells in the area. They pointed out that it would be just two more years before the garbage dump was turned into a 60-acre park.

"I am trying to understand why two starkly contrasting positions have been taken by the Premier,'' Mr. Hall said.

Sir John could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Mr. Hall added: "There is no question there has been an increase in foul smells in the area due to the composting. The residents and (PLP MPs) Mr.

Allen and Mr. Morton know the difference between the smell from the composting site and the smell from the Pembroke Dump.'' A mother of a Victor Scott pupil described the smell as "musty'' and told The Royal Gazette it was only noticeable at certain times of the day.

Other mothers complained the site was "unsafe and unclean''.