Debating time limits of speeches in parliament was a waste of time.

And, says the National Liberal Party, the ruling party would be better off building a relationship with the media than criticising it.

Jamahl Simmons, the NLP's general secretary was asked to comment on charges by PLP MP Dale Butler that the media's recent scrutiny of Government contracts represented racism.

"It's not a charge I would make lightly,'' said Mr. Simmons. He disputed Mr.

Butler's claim that The Royal Gazette had not scrutinised Government contracts in the past, but he said that he believed that The Royal Gazette was "a bit more anti-PLP'' than others.

"It can be easily changed if you build a relationship with the media -- which is not difficult given the size of the Island,'' Mr. Simmons said.

He suggested that there was a general reluctance on the part of the PLP Government to answer questions from the media and that was contributing to one-sided reporting.

As a former journalist "I know for a fact that journalists tend to be lazy'' and would rather not spend time and energy chasing answers from unwilling subjects, he said.

"It is essential that they build a relationship with the media,'' said Mr.

Simmons.

Asked whether he thought there was any substance to criticism over the tendering process for the Berkeley construction contract, Mr. Simmons said it was too early to speculate since the winning bid had not been announced.

"It is our hope that the Government does its business in the light of day and the best company wins,'' said Mr. Simmons.

Criticism has centred over claims that the contract was going to be awarded to ProActive, which competitor BermudaTech said had far less experience in the business of building schools and has submitted a bid $5 million higher than the lowest.

The Government's response, essentially, is that factors other than price -- such as the number of Bermudians involved in the project and giving other companies a chance to share in economic opportunity -- will affect the final decision.

"Bermudianisation should be a factor but if it's going to cost millions of dollars more then we have to strike a balance,'' Mr. Simmons said.

Asked what the NLP's position is on a move to change some of the rules of the House -- a proposal championed by UBP MP John Barritt, Mr. Simmons zeroed in on the suggestion that length of speeches be limited.

Politicians who find the hours inconvenient, he said, should get out of politics.

"My opinion is that the business of the people is what should be conducted, not issues that would make life more convenient for overpaid parliamentarians.

"It's equivalent, to my mind, to a regiment soldier asking for more lenient hours. You're serving your Country. Get on with it. The time they spent debating this issue could have been spent on lowering taxes, driving down crime and improving our educational system.'' Last week the House agreed to send Mr. Barritt's proposals to be studied by the House Rules and Privileges Committee.