Given that Government had agreed on the new school system, it should have followed the PLP's advice and instituted a system of, prudent borrowing and capital improvements on the proposed middle schools we recommended. The Government should have been more aggressive in starting the new school at Prospect and improvements to the Berkeley Institute. This would have ensured that the hardest hit of all industries -- the construction industry could have been maintained at a much higher level than it was. Instead of this the large number of workers in this industry were either put on social assistance or rendered unemployed -- if they were unable to obtain the few available jobs.

The road improvement plans in the Budget for this and the next five years could have been intensified during the recession with both private business and government workers benefiting.

However, the Government is only now bringing these projects on line, and this with the additional private projects has now the potential of causing the economy to heat up.

EDUCATION Mr. Speaker, Bermuda spends a great deal on Education.

The total of $114 million over a period of five to six years is a substantial amount of money and if we are to accept this approach at its face value, we would think that everything is alright. However, money alone is not the answer to the educational problems and spending that face us. Spending $114 million is not the answer to the problems that face us -- $114 million will probably help us but it must be spent in the right areas to offer that assistance.

Mr. Speaker, the $5 million that is being spent on the Bermuda College to finish the final phase is fine but what about the maintenance needs? Have these been catered to? Or, is the College being put in the same position as before, where teachers and courses had to be cut because there was not enough money to care for the buildings that had been built? It is fine for Government to brag about the funds it is giving the College to finish the consolidation of its campus.

Mr. Speaker buildings alone do not make a good education system. Recently, in September of last year, we introduced the mainstreaming of students. There was no plan, teachers were not prepared, students were not prepared, and the curriculum was not sensitive to their needs. Yet, we introduced "mainstreaming''. Mr. Speaker, what was the intention? What did we intend to teach these students? What did we think they would be able to do after five years in high school? Mr. Speaker, as important as the need to upgrade Bermuda's school facilities is, the need to ensure that we are teaching the right things and have the educational tools that are needed to ensure that our children are learning must remain paramount. However, Mr. Speaker, we do believe that now is an opportune time to look at the layout of all the school buildings and ensure that these are structurally functional and efficient. Now is the time to ensure that those schools that are not part of the rebuilding process are up to date in their use of facilities.

Mr. Speaker, during this debate, the Shadow Minister will focus and spotlight these issues.

YOUTH, SPORT & RECREATION Mr. Speaker, the UBP Government has been nothing short of irresponsible when it comes to the proposed erection of a National Stadium for Bermuda. For years, we have languished behind our athletic competition in providing a contemporary facility consistent with Bermuda's standing in the world. Though, in 1993, almost ten years after construction was started on the National Stadium, the government has turned its responsibility over to a non-elected body of trustees. The only reference in this year's Budget to the National Stadium is a budget of $220,000 provided to the National Trustees for their work. We have heard little or nothing to date about the specifics of the mandate given to the Trustees or the UBP Government's timetable for completion of this most significant national project. You do not need to be a rocket scientist to deduce that the National Stadium is not a priority for the present Government, despite the public demand and social need.

HUMAN AFFAIRS & INFORMATION In the Throne Speech of November 5, 1993, Government announced the formation of the Ministry of Human Affairs and Information. This new Ministry was formed "to deal with discrimination in the community and to work with all concerned to develop solutions...'' There was much discussion both in this House and in the community as to whether or not Government is truly committed to ending racial discrimination and bringing about a more equitable society for all Bermudians.

Given Government's dismal record in addressing racism over the last 30 years, we on this side of the House have expressed doubts about Government's commitment to ending racism. This year's Budget clearly indicates that Government is not serious about addressing so important an issue. Racism touches each and every member of our community daily. It continues to fester and must end.

However, the Human Affairs and Information Ministry has been given the smallest estimated expenditure in this year's Budget next to Management and Technology, which has been allocated 0.3 percent. The Ministry of Human Affairs & Information has been allocated only 0.7 percent of the entire estimated expenditure for the year. Indeed, the estimate for Human Rights for 1994 5 has declined over 1993 4 -- down to $183,000 from $188,000. Race Relations has been allocated a mere $30,000.

Once again, Mr. Speaker, we see that Government is paying lip-service to ending discrimination and is not willing to give the resources that will be necessary to combat such a serious problem that is dividing our society.

Discrimination and racism is once again being put on the shelf.

THE NATIONAL DRUGS COMMISSION The National Drugs Commission has been established to fight the scourge of drugs in our community. The police and others who are not connected with the agencies that combat the effects of substance abuse all agree that there is a direct relationship between substance abuse and the crimes committed in our communities.

Mr. Speaker, a further factor that has been associated with the scourge of drugs is that those committing lawlessness are in the 16-25 age groups.

Mr. Speaker, this latter fact is also significant when looked at from another perspective and that is the 16-46 year olds are also the group making up the largest group of those unemployed.

Table 2 (previously shown) shows that out of a total of 563 persons ranging in ages from 16-46 that 234 persons are between the ages of 16-25, that is 41 percent of those unemployed are between the ages 16-25 years. Mr. Speaker, I believe that due to the above findings two things must be pursued as matters of the utmost urgency: (1) Additional funds are allocated to the National Drug Commission to address and to alleviate the problems of substance abuse, and; (2) Additional training facilities must be provided for the teaching of skills for those unemployed young people so they can be assisted in becoming useful and productive citizens.

The $1.039 million allocated by the UBP Government is woefully inadequate if the Government is sincere in its commitment to wage an effective war on drugs.

TRANSPORT As we stated in our reply to the Throne Speech, the importance of the Ministry of Transport is to be elevated, as the Bermuda Government assumes responsibility for the entire operation of the Airport. However, this Budget gives no real recognition to the role of the Ministry of Transport, as Government assumes these added responsibilities.

One would accept that efforts would be made to train and incorporate Bermudians in the operations that are currently under the control of the US Government. However, there is no indication of training or any attempts to assist Bermudians to fulfill these responsibilities. Government should open a register so that a record of Bermudians at home and abroad interested in these positions can be kept on file. We in the PLP have already received a number of inquiries form interested parties.

Government has not given a date as to when the new Airport Authority is to begin operating the Airport. Once again, we must restate our objection to the establishment of this Authority. This is not the time for Government to be farming out its responsibility to any form of private concerns.

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