Progressive Labour Party.

Shadow Works and Engineering Minister Mr. Walter Roberts was yesterday worried a plan to cut garbage collection to once a week on November 16 would have serious repercussions, including road-side garbage pile-ups.

It might also force businesses to hire privately-owned trucks to take away their garbage because a once-weekly service would be insufficient.

Mr. Roberts accused Works Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira of jumping the gun with the scheme and not giving residents enough warning.

He claimed that instead of reducing garbage, the scheme may well put more trash on the streets.

But Dr. Terceira said yesterday he had been talking about the scheme since February and it "would work, and work well''.

He said Ministry studies showed other countries with once-weekly pick ups -- including Caribbean islands -- were managing fine.

And he was confident residents were fully aware "it's a no-no'' to put out garbage on days no pick-ups are scheduled.

On Thursday Dr. Terceira announced that blue bags for recyclable waste would be mailed to every household.

And in two weeks, garbage collection would be cut from twice a week to once a week.

A private company will collect the blue bags -- on the same day Government trash trucks collect regular garbage.

Mr. Roberts said: "From what I have heard so far, there has not been enough publicity or education. And if this system is to work it depends on public support and understanding.'' Mr. Roberts said Dr. Terceira's claim the scheme would allow for better maintenance of trash trucks and more reliable pick ups was an excuse for not buying new trucks.

"It seems to me that what they really need to do is buy a couple more trucks,'' he said. "Government is cutting back on its capital projects, while encouraging the public to increase their capital spending and build.'' Mr. Roberts suggested the current twice-weekly garbage pick ups be maintained at least until after Christmas.

"Garbage is going to be all over the community and blowing around the sidewalks, especially at Christmas when there are lots of wrappings, boxes and bags around,'' he claimed. "They are shutting down one system while starting up another.'' Mr. Roberts questioned how readily residents would cooperate with the blue-bag scheme by separating bottles and cans and tying up newspapers in neat bundles before putting them out for collection.

He further said he was concerned that because newspapers would not be bagged, they would get ripped and "blow all over the streets''.

"Sending blue bags to everyone is a step, but it's not enough to get everyone to take part,'' he said.

Government should keep the twice weekly collection going while introducing the blue-bag scheme, he suggested.

Dr. Terceira said he expected everyone to cooperate and not to put out garbage out on no-pick-up days.

Dr. Terceira said the scheme would definitely save Government money, but he did not know how much yet.