debate during the House of Assembly's Motion to Adjourn on Monday night.

Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Renee Webb pointed to a front page story in that day's Royal Gazette entitled "Mother jailed for failing to pay bill'' and said: "I have to voice my dismay on behalf of all the mothers in this Country, whether they be single or married.'' The article addressed single mother of four Tonya Durham, who was locked in a Police cell after failing to pay a $200 medical bill, despite the fact that her former partner had not kept up with child support payments totalling some $9,000.

Meanwhile, her children were left unattended and locked out of their Somerset home in the pouring rain while she was detained.

Ms Webb said this was reprehensible and stressed that something was wrong in a Country where a court system charged with ensuring Ms Durham was paid the money owed to her, locked her up for not paying a debt.

Of greater concern, the Hamilton Parish East MP continued, was the fact that the children were left outside in the rain because they were locked out of their home.

"These children did not know where their mother was'' she exclaimed. Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety Quinton Edness said he was in full agreement with Ms Webb.

"I think it is appalling,'' he said, adding that he planned to get to the bottom of the problem and would be meeting with Ms Durham today.

"A bureaucratic bungle has taken place,'' said the Acting Health and Social Services Minister.

Shadow Minister of Works, Engineering and Housing Stanley Morton said he was concerned about the children. "I am concerned with the injuries that are caused. Scars are always left.'' And his colleague, Shadow Transport Minister Dennis Lister asked what would have happened if the story had not made the newspaper's headlines.

What about the other mothers who experienced similar problems with the court system in Bermuda, he asked.

"Government needs to address the system,'' he said. "What I have seen tonight does not make me see Government as being sensitive.'' Premier Pamela Gordon said she sympathised with the plight of all young single mothers.

"I'm a single mother too,'' she said. "I'm divorced. I share in the pain of what these young women are suffering.

"I live it. It's not past tense, it's present tense. I can empathise.'' She said boyfriends, husbands and "significant others'' had to be made to live up to their responsibilities.

House coverage continues on Page 6 Renee Webb