Premier Alex Scott voiced his pleasure that his ?students? ? the Opposition ? were finally learning to deal with the problem of race relations yesterday.

Last week Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons announced the creation of the Shadow Ministry of Race Relations and Economic Opportunity, an initiative the UBP hoped would face the issue of race head on, helping all Bermudians ? black and white ? to acknowledge and respect one another on an even playing field.

Speaking on the floor of the House of Assembly, Mr. Scott said he was ?relieved? to see that ?the Opposition has finally recognised that we have a race problem?.

Saying he felt ?like a teacher?, Mr. Scott called the UBP somewhat ?schizophrenic? as they swung between the ?Old UBP? and the ?New UBP?.

However, he repeated, at least they had finally realised racism existed. ?They?re coming along nicely.?

David Dodwell had to give up his post as Shadow Tourism Minister in order to take on the role of Shadow Race Relations Minister, he said. UBP Senator Kim Swan was appointed Shadow Tourism Minister in Mr. Dodwell?s place, meaning that while Mr. Dodwell will still speak on Tourism while in the House, the Opposition no longer has an ?official? voice for Tourism in the House of Assembly.

?They can?t chew gum and talk at the same time,? Mr. Scott observed.

However, the Premier insisted that his Government has no problem working despite the fact that, on their side, the Attorney General ? like Mr. Swan ? holds a seat in the Senate, but not in the House.