The environmental condition of the returning Bases was a dominant concern yesterday as the House of Assembly debated the Budget estimates for the Ministry of the Environment.

Shadow Environment Minister the Rev. Trevor Woolridge wanted to know if Bermuda had enough inspectors to "closely monitor'' the returning Bases and make sure they were returned in good condition.

"I would hate to think that in due course the Finance Minister is going to have to come back and raise additional funds to clean up something that may not in the first instance be the fault of Bermuda,'' Mr. Woolridge said.

The Progressive Labour Party hoped "the negotiation team is going to be as tough on that as possible.'' With respect to the environment and the Bases, Management and Technology Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons said Government was "certainly on top of the situation.'' The Base Transition Office was working closely with Ministry officials, and the Philadelphia company RT Environmental Services Inc. had been hired to assess the environment at the US Naval Air Station and the Naval Annex, he said.

RT had drilled more than 2,000 core sites at the two Bases and sent samples to the United States for expert analysis, he said. The second phase of RT's report was nearly completed. Throughout, Government was emphasising the importance that the lands be returned in "a clean and good environmental condition.'' A second company had been hired to assign risks to what was discovered and help Government determine what clean-up was required.

Petroleum residues had been discovered at the Royal Navy Base HMS Malabar and RT was doing further work there, Dr. Gibbons said.

Mr. Woolridge also wondered whether the departure of the American and British military, along with their manpower and equipment, would hamper Bermuda's excellent response to oil spills.

And he wondered what had happened to plans to burn oil off Bermuda as a clean-up test. Also, was electricity now being sent to Belco from the Tynes Bay Incinerator? And what was the status of the cave near the Wilkinson Quarry in Hamilton Parish? Mr. Trevor Moniz (UBP) praised Ministry staff. And he raised the issue of vehicle pollution on the Island, which he said was "a chronic problem.'' The Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto wanted to know about the state of discussions with Belco about its emissions. "The people in Pembroke West Central, and indeed in Pembroke generally are crying out to know .. . when we can expect some tangible results?'' she said.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto also wanted to know whether the Ministry had determined whether ash blocks from the incinerator could be used off the North Shore, where uses could include "a sheltered dock for the mid-Atlantic boat club.'' And she called for motocross scrambling to be moved from Coney Island, "so we can return that lovely park to our park system.'' Mr. Walter Roberts (PLP) asked if the Ministry was testing waters in various bays for cesspit leakage, because he noticed a decline in sea life in many such areas recently.

He also had concerns about asbestos on the Island, and wanted to know why there had been a sign warning of asbestos dust posted near St. Brendan's Hospital for six to nine months.

Mr. Ottiwell Simmons (PLP) also worried about asbestos, which he said was hazardous to the environment, could be lethal to humans, and also hurt the economy, as in the case of the Bermuda hotel which would be opening late this spring due to asbestos removal work.

He also expressed concerns about five fishermen who were still being denied ex gratia payments other fishermen received after the fish pot ban.

Mr. Eugene Cox wondered if Environment Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons had less influence in Cabinet because he sat in the Senate, rather than the House of Assembly. Mr. Cox felt the environment was not receiving much consideration in recent decisions, such as one to allow more development on East Broadway.

The National Trust initially opposed such developments, but "after a while they almost roll over and play dead,'' Mr. Cox said.

Mr. Tim Smith (UBP) said the Opposition was "unduly alarmist'' about asbestos, which generally was only a health risk if it was interfered with.

Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess said on any planning decision like East Broadway, it was simply a matter of Government "looking at the facts and making a decision.'' And the Environment Minister had "equal say'' although he sat in the Senate.

Dr. David Dyer (UBP) asked about the incinerator at the hospital, which he said burned waste far more dangerous than that burned at the Tynes Bay Incinerator. When would the Clean Air Act be extended to cover it? The Hon. Clarence Terceira , speaking for Mr. Simons, said Bermuda would be "somewhat vulnerable'' on oil spills for a short time due to the military withdrawals, but the problem was being addressed.

The incinerator had been supplying electricity to Belco "off and on'' and was still in a test period, he said.

On vehicle pollution, the Minister was working closely with the Ministry of Transport on legislation to control emissions under the Motor Car Act, he said. But the major problem of lead emissions had been tackled.

The Ministry continued to work with Belco, and "marked improvement'' had already been seen, he said. But "the jury is still out'' on whether ash blocks from the incinerator could be used off the North Shore and at other spots around the Island.

The asbestos sign that Mr. Roberts referred to was erected during a construction project on a house, said Dr. Terceira. He did not know why it was left up so much longer than it should have been.

Tests on the inshore waters and bays Mr. Roberts had asked about showed little change over the years. And the quarry was remaining at least 60 feet away from Admiral's Cave, as recommended.

Oil burning experiments would be done off the United States, instead of Bermuda.

Dr. Terceira said steps had already been taken to improve the efficiency of the hospital incinerator, while more permanent solutions were examined. The Clean Air Act included a five-year grace period for existing facilities, and the matter would be sorted out within that time.

Bermuda was urged yesterday to pull out all the stops in the fight against violence -- or risk the destruction of the economy.

"I believe we have to do something like we have never done before,'' said Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness .

"We have to overcome all bureaucratic hurdles to rid the community of this trend.'' Mr. Edness told the House of Assembly that violence was the most serious problem facing Bermuda.

And he spoke of the danger of Bermudians getting used to "an acceptable level'' of violence.

Already people were being lulled into a false sense of security, he feared.

His comments came as MPs debated the Budget estimates for the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Housing.

Later, Shadow Health Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome picked up on Mr. Edness' warning Bermuda's qualify of life was in jeopardy.

He said any strategy to offset the danger must involve closing the income gap between blacks and whites.

A recent survey showed how the gap was increasing between the races, with blacks losing out.

Government also needed to focus more on the impact on the community of single parent households, said Mr. Bascome.

Such households were dominated by black females, he added.

In a speech lasting two hours and seven minutes, Mr. Edness told MPs acts of violence, drug abuse and other anti-social behaviour had reached unprecedented levels.

"At the same time a large number of residents continue to be either unemployed or underemployed, which has undoubtedly placed additional stress on many families and has had an adverse effect on social conditions on the Island.

"Social conditions during 1994/95 have caused the services provided by the ministry to be severely strained.'' Mr. Edness highlighted ways his Ministry had set out to improve social conditions: Opening the new Westgate Correctional Facility last year, providing inmates access to a broad range of treatment and rehabilitation programmes; A Department of Management Services review of Probation Services -- under strain following a rise in non-custodial sentences. This would focus on staffing needs and the role of the services. Meanwhile, an additional temporary officer has already been hired; Revamping the residential care programme for adolescents so that their special needs can be better addressed. An alternative to the Tudor Farm site for setting up facilities is being sought; Working with the Education Ministry to develop a "comprehensive school health programme'' to promote healthy lifestyles for students; The launch of a "co-ordinated summer youth programme'' -- spearheaded by the Child and Family Services -- which has provided social and recreational activities for youngsters between nine and 17; Enhancement of drug treatment programmes; Addiction Services is being upgraded with the help of Benedict Associates; and the introduction of a Hazelden Substance Abuse Programme in the Prison Service, making drug treatment accessible to all inmates; and Sponsoring the recent "Conference on Violence''.

Mr. Edness said the conference, by all accounts, had been extremely successful.

"I look forward to receiving the recommendations made at the conference and urge the public to keep up the fight.'' Mr. Edness pointed out reviews of the health care system and of child abuse in Bermuda would be completed in 1995/6.

"The reports by the task forces conducting these reviews will undoubtedly contain recommendations that will require action.'' Mr. Edness said the current financial year continued to be extremely challenging for his Ministry.

"While the initiatives just highlighted were primarily intended to enhance existing services, the Ministry has managed with minimal additional resources to provide services to a client base that has not only reached unprecedented levels but that has also had a broader range of needs than in the past.'' Mr. Edness said, despite the current conditions, the Bermuda Housing Corporation, had this year been able to make about $5.6 million of mortgage money available to first-time home owners who would otherwise been denied the opportunity to purchase a home.

"Mr. Chairman, during the current financial year, staff within this Ministry have been placed under an inordinate amount of stress and have persevered with increased workloads and with minimal additional resources.

"I would therefore like to take this opportunity to formally thank all of the Ministry's staff for their support, dedication and resilience during this very demanding period.'' He added: "While the picture that I have painted may appear to be bleak, I am quite optimistic that, with greater community participation, existing conditions can soon be turned around.'' Mr. Edness then turned to the revised current account expenditure estimates for 1994/5, which were anticipated to be about $91 million.

This amounted to about $2 million, or 2.2 percent, more than the original estimate of $89 million.

"This increase is attributed solely to an anticipated $2 million increase in the Ministry's grant to the Bermuda Hospitals Board to cover the cost of subsidised care for the elderly at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital who are occupying more beds than was previously projected.'' Mr. Bascome suggested to Mr. Edness his Ministry should be broken down to make it more manageable.

He said the Prisons and the Hospitals could be separated from the other areas of his Ministry.

Mr. Bascome put the spotlight on the elderly, saying a study showed many were at the poverty level.

He also questioned why money was being cut from physiotherapy, and called for better monitoring of nursery schools, wondering whether staff received proper training and adequate equipment.

Mr. Bascome continued by saying every year Bermuda seem to suffer from a shortage of vaccine. This year it was for influenza.

"We need to have better procedures in place to make sure we don't come up short.'' He also urged Mr. Edness to produce the results of a radon survey.

There were also pungent smells at Pembroke Dump, added Mr. Bascome, which needed to be monitored.

Mr. Bascome went on to attack Government for constantly being in denial about problems, until they were upon them.

For instance, he highlighted the problems faced by Prison officers who came to the House of Assembly last year to present a petition.

The Prison officers' protests had been brought up previously by the Opposition Progressive Labour Party, but had been brushed aside.

Mr. Bascome said it was the same with the Probation Services.

A long time ago the PLP brought to the attention of Government the strain Probation Services were under.

Turning to St. Brendan's Hospital, Mr. Bascome said three deaths there since 1991 raised certain questions.

Has any investigation been carried out into them? Mr. Bascome then touched on the shortage of ambulances, saying one solution was to overlap the services provided at Southampton and St. George's.

And on the Bermuda Housing Corporation, Mr. Bascome wondered why rents continually went up.

On the subject of counselling for different forms of abuse, Mr. Bascome called for more African-Bermudian professionals.

It made sense for a person to be counselled by someone of the same ethnic grouping.

Government backbencher Mrs. Grace Bell said more needed to be done to deal with Bermuda's growing elderly population.

She said more homes for the senior citizens were required.

Shadow Youth and Sport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown said Bermudians had permeated every layer of employment at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, and he applauded the appointment of Mrs. Sheila Manderson to executive director.

But Dr. Brown said there needed to be black resident physicians, questioning why there was this employment gap.

"I don't believe it is an accident.'' And turning to St. Brendan's, Dr. Brown asked why there was not a black psychiatrist.

Efforts needed to be redoubled to find some, since psychiatry should be a weapon in the war against drugs, violence and anti-social behaviour.

Former PLP leader Mrs. Lois Browne Evans voiced alarm at the cost of treatment in a hospital ward in Bermuda.

She called for a commission to inquire into health practices.

Bermuda is in dire need of a multi-purpose cultural centre, however Government needs to recognise other organisations on the Island which will be developing halls or theatres for performing arts in the next few years.

This comes from the Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs the Hon. Wayne Furbert while discussing the Ministry's budget in the House of Assembly last night.

"There will be auditoriums at the end of the day for the performing arts, but not for concerts like Byron Lee as they tend to attract seven to ten thousand people,'' Mr. Furbert said.

He added: "We are looking into creating a facility to celebrate Bermuda's history and culture.'' Mr. Furbert also said that the ministry's television shows, "The Learnalots'', which focuses on children and "Treasures'' which discusses the lives of senior citizens have both received "very good feedback, and `Bermuda Profiles' has been very beneficial to the community.'' He added that the Premiers concert has also been successful with the performing of "top notch performers.'' Mr. Furbert also said that the Ministry was organising The Care of Art exhibit that will permit Bermudians to see their art along with other artists from the Caribbean and Puerto Rico.

Mr. Furbert also said that capitalisation of small businesses has been increased with a guarantee of up to $100,000. And the number of people the Small Business Development Corporation can give guarantees to has also increased.

Shadow Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs Mr. Leon (Jimmy) Williams said: "We have heard a brief synopsis from the Minister about a very important Ministry and he has slopped his way through.

"I asked the Minister last year to support Bermuda's libraries. Library staff have had to make difficult and painful decisions as far as expenses. "And when dealing with books that are not returned it is difficult to take someone to court for not returning a book.'' Mr. Williams added that many books are not returned to the library and because there is not a book budget the library is unable to keep up.

To be concluded in tomorrow's paper.

Ministry of the Environment 1995/96 estimates Ministry responsibility: "To regulate the development of land. To protect the Bermuda environment, to provide for the valuation of land, and to promote the development of agriculture and fisheries in Bermuda, and in so doing promote wise use of land and effective management of agricultural, fisheries and parks resources.'' Budget estimate: $12,881,000 (last year $12,423,000) Budget allocation Department of Planning $1,930,000 Agriculture, Fisheries & Parks $9,609,000 Land valuation $396,000 Ministry headquarters $946,000 Revenue $1,244,000 Ministry of Health, Social Services and Housing, 1995/96 estimates Ministry responsibility: "To promote and maintain the physical, mental and social well-being of the people of Bermuda and to implement a housing policy.'' Budget estimate: $93,269,000 (last year $89,062,000) Budget allocation Ministry HQ $692,000 Health Department $10,729,000 Child and Family Services $5,979,000 Hospitals $47,997,000 Prisons and Senior Training School $11,677,000 Bermuda Housing Corporation $2,091,000 Financial Assistance $14,104,000Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs 1995/96 estimates Ministry responsibility: "To promote and enhance community relations, support community activities, administer the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation Act 1980, promote Bermuda's cultural heritage, support the community as a whole with a modern library and to collect and preserve archival material.'' Budget estimate: $3,530,000 (last year $3,552,000) Budget allocation Libraries $1,024,000 Cultural Affairs $935,000 Community Services $841,000 Bermuda Small Business Development Corp. $379,000 Archives $351,000 Revenue $18,000