yesterday while Government senators hit out at Opposition MP Mr. Julian Hall's statement the Premier and three other black leaders have "no real power''.

Sen. Alex Scott (PLP), speaking on the motion to adjourn, read a letter from Dr. Vincent Bridgewater to the daily newspaper concerning "the editor's scurrilous editorial''.

In the letter Dr. Bridgewater said it was The Royal Gazette rather than the PLP which was politicising the proposed Drugs Authority.

Said Sen. Scott: "The editorial made an attack on an individual rather than giving constructive comments.'' He called on fellow senators to "make their disgust known over this matter''.

Three Government senators did come out in support of Dr. Bridgewater and said they were "disappointed'' with the editorial.

The recent editorials said the PLP indicated its "complete contempt'' for the proposed new National Drugs Authority by suggesting the name of Dr.

Bridgewater as a member of the interim authority.

Also on the motion to adjourn Sen. Scott drew senators' attention to an immigration issue. He claimed a local women had been denied a job in an insurance company because she was Bermudian and the company had a policy of not hiring Bermudians.

When she asked for the company's reasons in writing for not hiring her, she was refused, Sen. Scott said.

He claimed Government officials told her tourism was down and "we need the international companies''.

He further said an Immigration official told the woman she would not get written reasons because the Department did not want them to fall into the PLP's hands.

Government leader in the Senate and Information Services Minister the Hon.

Mike Winfield hit out at Opposition MP Mr. Julian Hall for calling into ZBM television's News and Views programme this week and "going on an unsubstantiated, damaging attack'' of the Island's leaders.

Mr. Hall claimed during the talk show that four of the Island's most prominent black men have "no real power''. The men included Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan, Chief Justice the Hon. Sir James Astwood, Senate president the Hon.

Albert Jackson and Police Commissioner Mr. Lennett Edwards.

Mr. Hall accused Sir John of "squandering'' his years in power by doing nothing to help blacks achieve equality.

Sen. Winfield listed a string of accomplishments by Sir John saying there has been no other premier in the Island's history who has interacted with the community as much.

"For Mr. Hall to suggest Sir John is not aware and sympathetic and supportive toward black people is absolutely despicable,'' he said.

He said there was "no question'' that Sir John had "moved the country dramatically forward'' in race relations over the last decade.

Sen. the Rev. Trevor Woolridge (PLP) defended Mr. Hall's comments saying "the truth is not always pleasant''.

He said the Island and MPs "must accept institutionalised racism exists''. He also condemned The Royal Gazette editorials as "scurrilous'' and urged UBP senators to "take to task the editor of The Royal Gazette'' .

Sen. Wendell Hollis (UBP) said he knew Dr. Bridgewater had personally saved dozens from drug abuse and "could not speak more highly of him''. He said he was "disappointed'' to learn of the treatment he had been given in paper.

Sen. Pam Gordon (UBP) associated herself with Sen. Hollis' remarks saying it was "unfortunate the comments that were made, were made''. She said he had made a "sterling contribution to Bermuda's drug strategy''.

Race needs to be discussed in Bermuda, Sen. Gordon said, however, we should not "denigrate people and their contributions to this community''.

Sen. Jerome Dill (UBP) also hit out at Mr. Hall for trying to "destroy'' the Island's black role models with his statements aired on News and Views. Sen.

Ira Philip (PLP) said the Editor of The Royal Gazette was "schooled in the art of destabilisation'' prompting a warning from Sen. Winfield that he was making a "dangerous statement''.

He went on to say the Editor had adopted "a holier than thou attitude'' -- especially concerning Dr. Bridgewater.

Sen. Maxwell Burgess (UBP) said he had the utmost respect for Dr. Bridgewater and could not think of a more valuable person to serve on the interim Drugs Authority.

He too chastised Mr. Hall for his comments aired on News and Views saying he had made character assassinations of role models''.