Navy departs in September, MPs said yesterday.

MPs also suggested a bigger role for women in the Regiment during the Budget debate on Delegated Affairs and Security Services, either by more encouragement to volunteer or conscription.

But time ran out before the Bermuda Police Service could be debated, prompting cries of "filibustering'' from the Opposition.

Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman told the House the pool of available 18-year-olds to conscript was dwindling with the graying of Bermuda's population, causing the Regiment to have a tougher time getting sufficient recruits.

Nevertheless, he said, he had been informed that the current batch of recruits was "of an excellent quality''.

"Maybe it's a reflection of the education system everyone seems to be so critical of.'' He denied there was a disproportionate number of black males in the Regiment compared to whites. "In real terms this is not so,'' he said.

Figures showed that about the same number of blacks and whites were going away to university and choosing to stay abroad. And an equal number of blacks and whites were deferred.

Mr. Pearman said Government "may have to'' look at increasing the small female component of the Regiment.

On another aspect of the Ministry, Mr. Pearman noted Bermudians will soon be able to visit France, Austria and Spain without visas.

Shadow Delegated Affairs Minister Mrs. Lois Browne Evans questioned the need for so many paid security board members who, it seemed, met rarely and only then for short periods. And she had suspicions about what exactly Security Services did -- Government seemed reluctant to say.

"We are some kind of top-heavy in Government,'' she said, adding Government apparently couldn't afford to increase the pay of the 40 MPs' salaries.

"What is Security Services all about? Mr. Pearman typifies secrecy. He does not tell anyone anything he does not want to. He would make a good SS man if he had to.'' As for the Special Branch, it was set up after the riots and then went to some "hidden place in Prospect''.

"They clip things out of the newspapers...liaise with the US Consul...and make up dossiers on all of us. That's why so many are afraid to go out into the political arena -- they know they are being watched. That's why there's all those clickings on the phone,'' she said.

In response to Government jeers, she said: "You've got a Country of paranoid people. Do something about it! We are past the year of Big Brother but we are still living in that era.'' She said of the Special Branch: "Why are we spending the money. It will soon be a bureau as they call it in Washington.'' Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness said an awful lot of work took place by Security Services in coordinating information with London and Washington for the security of the Country. The Special Branch did not "spy'', he said. It stayed abreast of any kinds of internal threats to the Country. "It is a very important post,'' he said referring to the security liasion officer, Mr. Barry Smith.

Mr. Edness, noting there were only six women (volunteers) in the Regiment, said females were just as capable -- if not more so -- of doing the job.

"I'm not going as far as to say they too should be conscripted, but there does have to be a levelling out of the sexes,'' he said. He suggested more effort ought to be made to recruit women.

Mr. Edness agreed the Regiment's function should be extended to land and sea.

Shadow Tourism Minister Mr. David Allen welcomed news that visas would no longer be needed for France, Austria and Spain. He hoped Germany would soon be added to the list. He suggested a standard list of non-visa countries be issued by the Ministry for use by residents so they did not have to be subjected to the ordeal he went through in Greece where an immigration officer was unaware he did not need a visa.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Mr. Alex Scott warned that the Regiment could go the way of the Police Service with a British officer brought in to head it.

Referring to Government MPs' many compliments for the Regiment, he said, "Praise today. A visit from the Minister of Governor tomorrow.'' However, he felt "lessons had been learned'' and Bermuda would "never again'' see the Governor bring in non-Bermudians over local talent.

He urged Government to take more advantage of the colonial status it was holding onto by sending Bermudians to be trained by the UK military -- as helicopter pilots, for example.

This prompted Mr. Pearman to cry "what for!'' Mr. Scott said that once the US Navy left there would be no search and rescue capabilities on the Island in the event of a sea mishap or disaster.

Mr. David Dyer (UBP) said it was time to seriously consider mandatory Regiment service at a certain age to give the youth discipline and guidance, which would especially benefit those in danger of slipping through the cracks.

He said it was time to also consider a marine role for the Regiment with the US Navy no longer protecting local waters after September.

Maybe someone with a naval background could be brought in to teach the Regiment naval skills, he said.

Shadow Finance Minister Mr. Eugene Cox said the PLP had long called for a national Regiment corps for youth, but Government in the past had "ridiculed'' the idea.

He also said Government should take more advantage of the UK's military training facilities.

"As long as we are in the British Commonwealth we should capitalise on the benefits,'' he said.

Mr. Cox raised the issue of retired black ex-Regiment and Police officers failing to find positions as high and up and as well paid as their white counterparts.

Former Police Commissioner Mr. Frederick (Penny) Bean was now selling tires, while ex-commanding officer Lt. Col Gavin Shorto was the GIS director.

"This is a grave disparity,'' he said.

Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess said he had "no doubt'' Lt. Col.

David Burch would find a good job after he retired.

On the issue of helicopters for search and rescue, he said more expense than just buying a helicopter would be required due to the heavy maintenance they need. And he estimated they would each cost $3.

5 million.

"There's nothing cheap about a good helicopter,'' he said.

Mr. Allen said that considering the level of cruise and yacht tourism to Bermuda, the investment would be a good one.

He said there was "concern out there now'' from yachtsmen that the US Navy search and rescue planes would no longer be on the Island after September.

"The UBP has recklessly left open a window of vulnerability to Bermuda,'' he said. "(Mr. Burgess) said we can't spend all that money. I can tell you any loss of life will be far more expensive in the long run.'' Mr. Burgess rose to say that Government fully intended to "make sure a search and rescue mechanism was in place'' once the US navy left.

But the reality was the PLP's "$10 million dream'' would not be able to save that many lives. "What can you reasonably expect a helicopter to do.'' Mr. Trevor Woolridge (PLP) said that given Bermuda's fragile environment: "Government ought not to pooh-pooh ideas so quickly of how to assist in protecting it.'' Management Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons said fixed-wing planes had proven to be more efficient than helicopters in search and rescue. And an examination of sea mishaps near Bermuda involving airlifting of crew members showed the majority were dealt with by heavy-duty helicopters out of mainland US Navy bases.

He added that even though the US Navy was leaving, Bermuda would still fall inside the US Coast Guard protection/responsibility area.

As part of the Bases transition talks he was hoping to secure more of a US Coast Guard presence in Bermuda.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan said Bermuda was well-served by the Regiment, not only during disasters such as Hurricane Emily, but during ceremonies and security matters.

He said probably women ought to be given more of a chance to be in the Regiment, given the equal rights movement. He had no doubt they could perform as well as men.

Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade , noting the time had run out for a debate of the Police, accused the UBP of "filibustering'' because they were "afraid'' of what the PLP might say on the topic.

"This is the first time I've heard no-one speak on the Police,'' he said in the last remaining minutes of the debate. "We hardly ever mention the Regiment. This talk about the Regiment is to avoid embarrassment regarding the hiring of the two top policemen.

"You can run and run, but you can't hide from that decision.'' Ministry of Security and Delegated Affairs 1995/96 estimates Ministry responsibility: "To provide support to the deputy Governor, Commissioner of Police, Chief Fire Officer and the Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment in the coordination of their responsibilities relating to matters of internal security.'' Estimate:$34,462,000 (last year $33,191,000) Budget allocation Defence $4,138,000 Police $26,712,000 Fire Services $3,489,000 Security Services, Delegated Affairs $123,000