flayed the UBP's 32-year record in power and vowed: "We will form the next Government.'' In her first Throne Speech reply, Ms Smith accused Government of: Forking out millions of dollars on a new senior school -- while students today lacked basic educational tools, like books; Squandering millions on a "Let Yourself Go'' sex and sin advertising tourism campaign; Backing away from its stated intention to fight racism on every front; Considering using the ocean as a garbage pail for asbestos; Failing to understand the "time bomb'' of frustration which gives birth to crime; and Washing its hands of the National Sports Centre.

Ms Smith also put forward some PLP proposals, including a new Tourism Department division to revive group business and a National Transportation Plan.

She also recommended cutting tax on computers, promoting Internet access for all Bermudians, creating a Ministry of International Business, using base lands for affordable housing and reinstating a school attendance officer to combat truancy.

In addition, Ms Smith called for an urgent review of prison rules, human relations training for prison officers, and a segregated facility for remand inmates.

Later Premier David Saul hailed the United Bermuda Party Government's "first class'' record.

And he claimed the Opposition Progressive Labour Party's Throne Speech reply was a restatement of old thoughts.

Dr. Saul -- who appealed for Opposition cooperation and hammered home the importance of family values -- described the Throne Speech as a plan to chart Bermuda's course into the 21st Century.

"The Throne Speech is a set of very progressive steps.'' Ms Smith quickly launched into the offensive in her 16-page speech.

She said the Throne Speech had noted "steady and experienced hands'' would be the watch word for Bermuda's rulers.

But Government had botched the issues of Independence and franchises, the appointments of Police Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner and packaging of Bermuda as a tourism product.

"Why does Bermuda find itself in the state that it is? We challenge this Government on its record.'' Ms Smith pledged to fight for a PLP Government as a testimonial to her predecessor, the late Opposition Leader Frederick Wade.

"With the help of my colleagues and the people of Bermuda who have stood loyally with us over these three decades, we will form the next Government.'' Ms Smith said the number of Bermudians in the hospitality industry had declined over the last ten years.

And she accused the UBP of serious long-term failures in job training, retraining, and encouraging real investment in training people.

Ms Smith said the Throne Speech had bragged about a decline in crime -- and yet pledged to strengthen Police manpower, training and equipment.

Therefore, Government's call for a crackdown on crime amounted to obvious plagiarising of the American Presidential Election campaign and demonstrated the bankruptcy of ideas in the UBP.

Dr. Saul described the Throne Speech as a progressive, forward-looking plan designed to prepare Bermudians for the economy of the future.

The Throne Speech set a series of steps in motion to ready Bermuda for the next millennium -- such as education restructuring, training, new technology and fresh tourism initiatives.

Dr. Saul stressed Government was committed to forming partnerships in the community, such as with businesses and churches, to bring about effective change.

And he promised Government would set an example.

Dr. Saul said the Opposition often complained about the Police and ran the Service down.

"I want to call on every single member of this House to cooperate with the Police by identifying crime issues and not denigrating the Police.'' Dr. Saul said an attack on crime was a theme of the Throne Speech.

The aim was to make the Island the safest and most drug-free place in the world.

Dr. Saul said Government was committed to boosting education and he pointed out a code of conduct had been drawn up to improve behaviour.

He went on to voice optimism on tourism, saying the future would be much brighter thanks to the help of agencies and a vibrant Minister.

Editorial: Page 4 Smith's speech: Pages 4-6 House debate: Page 6