another term in the House of Assembly means there are six Government MPs who will not be returning to the House, regardless of the next General Election's outcome.

But as of this week, all Progressive Labour Party MPs are standing for re-election, Opposition Whip Mr. Stanley Lowe said.

Independent MP and former United Bermuda Party maverick Mr. Harry Viera remained a question mark.

Mr. Marshall announced last week he was calling it quits after 30 years in politics. Previously, Speaker of the House the Hon. David Wilkinson, Hamilton East MP the Hon. Haskins Davis, St. George's South MP the Hon. Sidney Stallard, Smith's South MP Mr. Anthony Correia and Devonshire South MP Mr.

William Cox have also made known their retirements.

Mr. Viera has not said whether he will run. But he said he would not run in Southampton West, which he now represents.

The outgoing veterans were nearly unanimous in saying they would not miss debates in the Sessions House.

Mr. Davis, who turns 75 this week, was first elected in 1968. He lost his seat in 1976, but returned in 1980 and did not lose again.

He was Environment Minister from 1982 until 1989, and counts passage of the bill that created the West End Development Corporation among his major accomplishments.

He was also the Minister responsible for the last Bermuda Plan. "The whole thing has changed,'' Mr. Davis said of the House of Assembly.

"When things drag out like they have done recently, I think it defeats its purpose.'' Depending on when an election is called, the rancorous 281 hour sitting before the House adjourned for the summer may prove to have been the last for Mr.

Davis. He found it particularly distasteful.

"I didn't enjoy it,'' he said. "I left early, as a matter of fact. I could see what was coming.'' Mr. Davis, who is retired after 46 years with the Bank of Butterfield, said: "I don't think the constituents want a fellow my age. I'm in good shape -- I want to stay that way.'' Mr. Correia, 63, was first elected in Smith's South in 1979 and was returned in each election since.

While never a Cabinet Minister, he was caucus chairman, served six years as chairman of the Immigration Board and chaired a Government committee that negotiated an accord with Portugal to cut discrimination.

"Prior to that, any Portuguese coming into Bermuda could only work as gardeners, farmers, pot washers, or cleaners,'' he said. "Any other foreigner could work anywhere, as long as they had a permit.'' As for the House, "we used to debate the issues thoroughly,'' Mr. Correia said. "Now, there are too many personalities coming into the debate. I think it's discourteous to the House, and in many cases embarrassing to the Bermudian people.'' The introduction of live radio broadcasts was "the worst thing that ever happened to local politics'', he said.

He planned to stay involved with the UBP at the branch level, but admitted a distaste for party politics, which diminished responsibility for individual MPs. "When we were all Independents, you were really answerable to everyone in your district.'' Mr. Correia said he would devote more time to his supermarket business and stay involved with the Smith's Parish council.

Mr. Wilkinson was first elected in 1968 and has been returned in each election since.

Speaker since 1989, he also served as Minister of Planning and Minister of Tourism. An expert heckler before his elevation to the Speaker's Chair, he described his time in the House as "all very pleasant.'' Mr. Wilkinson, a consultant with law firm Cox & Wilkinson, is semi-retired.

Mr. Stallard, a former Transport Minister, is retiring in St. George's South after 17 years in the House of Assembly and 30 years in politics.

"I think I've had my fill,'' the retired bank official said. "I think it's time for young people to come in there and start getting their feet wet.'' HON. RALPH MARSHALL -- Announced last week he will not be seeking another term in the House of Assembly.