considering abolishing the Co-ed Facility should be welcomed.

It seems clear, at least from the Prison officers' point of view, that the facility is failing to achieve its purpose and is creating an extra strain for the prison guards.

The facility in Ferry Reach was created by putting the Senior Training School and the women's prison under one roof. The system may work when there are enough officers and support staff available, but it is asking for trouble when there are not.

As Prison Officers Association president Lynn Hall says: "It means that, not only are you having to secure people, you are having to secure people from other people. It's definitely an extra burden and not very satisfactory.'' It is likely that the Prison Farm, women prisoners and young offenders can be administered together, but it would make sense if each facility was physically separate.

Ms Cox deserves credit for saying she is going to seriously look at the question. She may decide that the current system is the best available, but there is no harm in "thinking the unthinkable''.

In the meantime, the prison officers have made their point and it is clear that they are being taken seriously.

Ms Cox should be given time to review the situation and, as a new Minister, her commitment should be taken at face value. The Prison officers' industrial action is causing a strain for both the Police and for the Prison administrators. It's time for them to demonstrate their willingness to work with the Government by getting back to their regular duties.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE EDT It's not too late Claims that Government has refused to accept Saul Froomkin's appointment as Honorary Consul for Canada are worrying.

If the reports are true, it will reflect badly on Bermuda and give the Island a reputation for vindictiveness and political favouritism.

There's no doubt that the Progressive Labour Party can point to instances where the United Bermuda Party did the same, including the Public Service Commission where the PLP claims that not one of its recommendations was ever accepted.

That was wrong, as at least a few of the PLP's nominations must have been of sufficient calibre.

But it is one thing to play politics at home. When another country is involved it is dangerous. It is not known for certain if the UBP ever rejected an Honorary Consul nomination, but it seems unlikely. And there is the example of Attorney General Lois Browne Evans, who was Honorary Consul for Jamaica for decades, even while she was Opposition Leader.

This seems an unnecessary snub of a country which has been Bermuda's friend for centuries.

It is true that Saul Froomkin has acted for the UBP in court -- notably in challenging Mrs. Browne Evans' appointment as Attorney General on age grounds.

But that is not grounds for rejection; Mr. Froomkin is a lawyer, and an able one at that, not a UBP activist. His job is to represent his clients to the best of his ability.

It is also true that the duties and responsibilities of Honorary Consuls are not especially onerous. But that does not mean that the position should be treated lightly.

It is to be hoped that Government has not irrevocably rejected this nomination -- it's not too late for it to change its mind.